Be sure to shovel your sidewalks

As plows take care of the snow Pocatello’s streets, it’s up to homeowners and business owners to make sure their sidewalks are cleared for any pedestrians.

When Matt Collazos shovels, it usually takes him 15 to 20 minutes. As he does it, safety’s on his mind.

“I think it’s pretty important to do, not only for the safety of my kids but other people walking through,” he said. “If somebody slips in front of your property you’re going to feel bad and you’re probably going to get a medical bill.”

Under Pocatello’s municipal code, people are responsible for any sidewalks that is on the boundaries of their home or business – this also applies to people renting property.

Dianne Brush, community services specialist with the Pocatello Police Department, said shoveling sidewalks is important because many are reliant on them.

“All of our area’s schoolchildren walk on those sidewalks to get to and from school,” Brush said. “We have people in wheelchairs that need to get to bus stops, too.”

If the city finds you haven’t been shoveling your sidewalks, it will notify you to do so. When notified you will have 24 hours to clear your sidewalks. If there’s still snow after those 24 hours, you could be issued a misdemeanor citation.

A code enforcer with the police says the citation could easily result in hundreds of dollars in costs. The maximum fine from that citation is $1,000.

That’s a bill Collazos isn’t interested in.

“I’ve already got plenty of bills myself, I’m good,” he said.

If you’re renting your property and you’re not sure who’s responsible for the sidewalks, be sure to check your lease or talk to your landlord to figure it out.