GLAD YOU ASKED: Complaints generally spark enforcement of sidewalk blocking law

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Q. What does the city code say about vehicles blocking public sidewalks?

A. City code states “no person shall place, leave or keep on any street, road, alley, sidewalk or other public ground any vehicle” in such a way that it obstructs the “free use of such street, road, alley sidewalk or public ground,” unless the vehicle is in use or parked “as provided by this code or other traffic ordinances.”

Mitchell Police Sgt. Dave Beintema said enforcement of this ordinance is generally “citizen-complaint oriented.”

“Occasionally, we have officers initiate the parking ticket on their own,” he said. “Typically, we see it’s not a huge issue.”

As with most parking violations in Mitchell, the fine for violating this ordinance is $15 within the first 48 hours, then increases to $30 after 48 hours.

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Tags: glad you asked, news, updates, sidewalks, local, mitchell