City Hall says property owners must clean the front of the drains

Utility equipment and satellite dishes are not all that City Hall is looking at, they are also working on ways to encourage property owners to keep not only their yards clean, but also the front of their drains.  City Engineer, Benjamin Mendoza, says it is really a matter of civic pride.  But, don’t worry, if you’re not the type to get your hands messy, this does not necessarily mean that you’ll see less of the sanitation workers.

Benjamin Mendoza, City Engineer

“All property owners are accountable for their properties. That means they need to clean it. And the property doesn’t end at the property line; the drain as well is part of the prosperities.”

Marion Ali

“Even though it’s public.”

Benjamin Mendoza

benjamin mendoza

“Yeah, I mean we need to, by law, that the people do understand that all drains and streets are the responsibility of the property owner. They need to keep maintaining their drain. If the grass grows high, they need to chop it. They need to clean their drain and sweep their street if they have proper streets.”

Marion Ali

“This is just now being enforced right?”

Benjamin Mendoza

“No, this is by law. We should be enforcing it. Most people are accustomed to BML doing everything but if BML doesn’t come into your street, it won’t come for another year so you leave your street; your street will get flood and it will bounce back right on you. We are trying our best to alleviate everyone, but I mean they have some streets or some drains that people can work on themselves and help themselves. They have neighborhoods that can help themselves as well.”

Marion Ali

“But does it mean that we’re going to see less of the BML workers?”

Benjamin Mendoza

“No, no, definitely not. BML should not be affected in any way. We’re just asking the community to—we’re not enforcing the law, we’re not penalizing anyone—we’re just asking that by law, it is in the law, we would like them to assist us.”