Cranbrook city council has given three readings to a bylaw enforcement amendment that will authorize fines through the unsightly premises and public places bylaw.
Without the amendment, the municipality is unable to take corrective action to remedy minor nuisances that occur within the city.
The public places bylaw outlines expected standards of behaviour in public areas like public intoxication, fighting, graffiti and littering.
The unsightly premises bylaw gives clearer authority for the city to act on properties that are neglected or pose a nuisance.
“People want their neighbourhoods to feel safe and clean, and they want to be able to enjoy public spaces without running into disruptive behaviour, vandalism and garbage,” said Mayor Wayne Price.
“These new bylaws will really help our staff better respond to those concerns more quickly and effectively.”
Some of the proposed fines include $150 for garbage, rubbish or discarded materials accumulating on a property and for noxious weeds, among other offences.
The public places bylaw would include a $200 fine for discharging fireworks, $500 for obstructing a bylaw officer and $200 for defacing buildings.
Each fine will also have a lesser option if its paid within 14 days, or a more expensive fine if it’s paid late.
The full list of proposed fines under these two bylaws can be found here.
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