According to the Muscatine Journal, police officers in the town have been instructed by the city council and Mayor Dick O'Brien to warn residents about an ordinance that forbids clippings in the street. So far 50 residents and business have been warned, although no fines have been levied.
"Our purpose is to educate," Muscatine Police Lt. Jeff Jirak told the paper.
Rather than issue $100 citations now, officers in the city have instructed homeowners about the ordinance and are offering copies of it in English and Spanish. One of the reasons behind the push for more enforcement is that it costs the city money to clean the grass clippings out of its sewer system.
Some lawn experts recommend people keep their grass clippings on the lawn in order to better protect it from heat and provide additional nutrients.
