With the Oct. 18 courtesy deadline passed in Opportunity Clean Sweep, the city is now sending notice of violations to residents who live in the west side of Roanoke Rapids.

The letters are going out to people who failed to clean up their property after walkthroughs, public works Director Richard Parnell said.

The westside walkthroughs should be completed by Friday, Parnell told The Spin today.

He said 567 letters have been sent to residents, giving them 10 days to clean their property or face a $250 fine.

Most of the violations are for noxious growth, Parnell explained, while some are for junked vehicles as well as other violations.

During the courtesy period, which ended Oct. 18, about 50 people called to have junk removed at no cost. As of Tuesday, the city picked up 123 tons of material, Parnell said.

Parnell expects just as many violations in the east side of Roanoke Rapids, where the walkthroughs are expected to be completed around Dec. 18.

The walkthrough team includes someone from code enforcement, public works and the police department, Parnell said.

The presence of an officer is effective when dealing with situations where people are asked to clean their junk. “When someone walks to your door from public works and asks you to clean your yard, most people are going to shut the door. When you put a policeman with you it seems to register to most we’re not playing around. It’s just the nature of the beast. When a policeman tells you something people seem to listen.”

Also, Parnell said, “Some of the locations we go it’s better to have an officer.”

Parnell believes the program is working. “We’ve been saying for years we’ve got a grass problem and bushes are overgrown. It’s been a good way to educate the public and do something that should have been done for several years.”

Opportunity Clean Sweep is an idea by City Manager Paul Sabiston and was endorsed by city council at its Sept. 8 meeting