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Sandra Yi reporting This is a busy time of year for an officer who battles -- not crime, but junky and unkempt yards.
There are at least 300 of them in South Ogden.
This is the kind of thing Kirk Boyington looks for: The owner of this property let the weeds grow out of control. I'm 5 - 3 and some of the weeds are as tall as I am.
It's a messy situation Boyinton is trying to clean up.
Kirk Boyington/Public Works Inspector: "AS YOU CAN SEE, THIS IS A JOKE."
But no one here - is laughing.
Robert Whyte/Neighbor: "EVERYTHING IS JUST OVERGROWN WITH WEEDS AND GRASS."
This home is an eyesore for neighbors. The owner abandoned it more than a year ago and failed to maintain it.
Robert Whyte/Neighbor: "THERE'S AN APPLE TREE RIGHT THERE NEXT TO THE GARAGE AND THOSE APPLES ARE STILL THERE FROM LAST FALL AND NOBODY'S PICKED THEM UP."
This morning, the city cleaned it up. Crews cut all the weeds and mowed the lawn. The city will foot the bill, then put a lien on the property.
Kirk Boyington South Ogden Code Enforcement Officer: "IT'S LIKE THE BROKEN WINDOW THEORY. IF YOU HAVE A HOUSE OR A WAREHOUSE, ANY BUSINESS WITH A BROKEN WINDOW, IF YOU DON'T FIX IT, WITHIN A MONTH, 2 MONTHS, THEY'RE ALL GOING TO BE BROKEN. IT JUST DRAGS THE NEIGHBORHOOD."
Boyington has handed out 100 citations this year, to property owners in violation of the city's junk ordinance. Penalties include fines that start at 100 dollars. The owner of this abandoned home has already received multiple citations.
Kirk Boyington/South Ogden Code Enforcement Officer: "NOBODY EVERY COMES HERE. THEY HIRE CONTRACTORS ONCE A YEAR AFTER THEY GET NOTICES."
A year ago, the weeds in front of this home were about an inch high. Today, some are as tall as 3 feet. It's an eyesore and a fire hazard.
Kirk Boyington/South Ogden Code Enforcement Officer: "IT'S JUST DISHEARTENING. THE NEIGHBOR'S BEEN TRYING TO SELL THEIR PROPERTY FOR 2 YEARS. SHE CALLED ME THE OTHER DAY. SHE'S CONCERNED ABOUT THE FIRE PROBLEM."
Most cities have similar junk ordinances.
West Valley - for example - can fine someone 25 dollars a day until their mess is cleaned up.
Inspection officers say many homeowners won't comply, but in most cases, the city can help out if asked.
