Spring Break
Council approves revised ordinances
Legislation limits use of outside furniture, increases penalties for existing restrictions
Christopher Washington
Issue date: 4/6/07 Section: Front Page
Miami junior Whitney Langsdon said she agrees with the litter ordinance because it preserves the visual quality of the city.
"I support it because do you want to live in Oxford if it's dirty and gross and full of trash?" Langsdon asked. "By imposing some kind of financial consequence, it would deter people from doing that and provide a consequence for people who do leave litter or beer cans around."
But Jennifer House, Associated Student Government (ASG) secretary for off-campus affairs, raised concern pertaining to the households fined with multiple residents. House said she was worried that a resident would be fined regardless of who hosted the party. However, according to Conley, when members of the city approach a house littered with trash, code enforcement and Oxford police are to fine the resident who answers the door.
"The actions of one is the responsibility of all," Conley said.
Concern also arose regarding who would be fined if visiting neighbors were present in the home when city officials approach a house to issue a fine. Oxford Police Sgt. Jim Squance said the residents of the household would still be held accountable, regardless of if they are home.
"One of the residents (who lives in the house) would be held responsible," Squance said. "We would probably take some photographs of the location, issue a citation to that address and then come back on a later day."
Oxford Law Director Steve McHugh agreed with Conley.
"If police come to your house and you show up at the door and the litter hasn't been cleared up, you're going to get cited," McHugh said.
Exceptions to individual fines arise only for organizational litter, such as trash from Miami's fraternity houses where the entire institution would be fined, according to McHugh.
The final component of the ordinances includes the newly revised noise legislation, which states Miami students and Oxford residents are forbidden to produce excessive amounts of noise. Under the original code, the ordinance outlined a general rule to not produce high levels of sound. The revised code declares that loud sounds originating from televisions, radios, electronic sound devices and electronic music devices are forbidden and may not be heard from 25 feet away. However, sounds heard from more than 25 feet away that disrupt the quiet, comfort or repose of any dwelling can also be considered a violation.
"I support it because do you want to live in Oxford if it's dirty and gross and full of trash?" Langsdon asked. "By imposing some kind of financial consequence, it would deter people from doing that and provide a consequence for people who do leave litter or beer cans around."
But Jennifer House, Associated Student Government (ASG) secretary for off-campus affairs, raised concern pertaining to the households fined with multiple residents. House said she was worried that a resident would be fined regardless of who hosted the party. However, according to Conley, when members of the city approach a house littered with trash, code enforcement and Oxford police are to fine the resident who answers the door.
"The actions of one is the responsibility of all," Conley said.
Concern also arose regarding who would be fined if visiting neighbors were present in the home when city officials approach a house to issue a fine. Oxford Police Sgt. Jim Squance said the residents of the household would still be held accountable, regardless of if they are home.
"One of the residents (who lives in the house) would be held responsible," Squance said. "We would probably take some photographs of the location, issue a citation to that address and then come back on a later day."
Oxford Law Director Steve McHugh agreed with Conley.
"If police come to your house and you show up at the door and the litter hasn't been cleared up, you're going to get cited," McHugh said.
Exceptions to individual fines arise only for organizational litter, such as trash from Miami's fraternity houses where the entire institution would be fined, according to McHugh.
The final component of the ordinances includes the newly revised noise legislation, which states Miami students and Oxford residents are forbidden to produce excessive amounts of noise. Under the original code, the ordinance outlined a general rule to not produce high levels of sound. The revised code declares that loud sounds originating from televisions, radios, electronic sound devices and electronic music devices are forbidden and may not be heard from 25 feet away. However, sounds heard from more than 25 feet away that disrupt the quiet, comfort or repose of any dwelling can also be considered a violation.
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