City cracks down on junk

By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Do you have a messy yard?
If so, expect a visit from the junk patrol.
Housing inspectors Annie Kay and Mark Williams, accompanied by either Patrolman Dave Wilson or Patrolwoman Sonia Wilson, went to seven homes Sunday afternoon.
Kay said inspectors had issued warnings in the past to the seven men, yet the yards remained cluttered.
Police reports show the properties were littered with everything from refrigerators, broken bikes and furniture to old tires, junker cars and construction debris.
The officers, in lieu of having the seven men booked into the Mahoning County jail, issued summonses and all seven were in court Monday for arraignment.
They are charged with littering and deposit of trash, rubbish or garbage.
Penalties
If convicted on a first offense, the penalty is up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine; second and subsequent convictions mean up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, said Anthony J. Farris, an assistant city prosecutor.
For Alan Glass, 53, of 1220 Augustine Ave., the charge is his second since February. The February case is scheduled for trial July 6.
Records show he was convicted of housing violations or littering in 2003, 2002 and 2001. His penalties were fines, sometimes coupled with suspended jail time.
Police said Glass' yard, when inspected Sunday, contained junker cars, trash, tires, construction material, tall grass, decaying food and dogs without tags. He pleaded innocent and will be back in court Aug. 6 for a pretrial.
Pleaded at arraignment
Two men, Harold Wesson, 71, of 3119 Neilson Ave., and Occie Berger, 57, of 2021 Jacobs Road, pleaded no contest at arraignment.
Both first-time offenders will be sentenced July 28 by Judge Robert A. Douglas Jr.
Kay told the judge that housing inspectors have been to Berger's home several times since 2001 and the appearance hasn't improved.
Wesson, she said, has people staying with him who could help clean up his yard.
These remaining four men pleaded innocent at arraignment:
UClifton L. Adams, 49, of 1119 Norwood Ave. Reports show the yard contained a refrigerator, tires, car parts, furniture and more. He'll be back in court Aug. 18.
UArthur Triplett, 49, of 2723 Dearborn St. Reports show the yard contained five vehicles, tires, construction material, car parts and other junk. He's due back in court. Aug. 26.
URichard Heipel, 43, of 3046 Winton Ave. Police said they found a car, construction material, a junk lawn tractor, bikes and other debris. He's due back in court Aug. 6.
ULarry J. Lee, 52, of 2759 Dearborn St. Police found tires, used batteries, two cars and other junk.
In related matters, two patrolmen filed reports over the weekend about yard conditions at 564 Wilber Ave. and 2311 Coronada Ave.
The Wilber house has been vacant about nine months and now has grass around 10 inches high, with overgrown shrubs and bushes, reports show.
Nearby residents told Patrolman Bill Ward they are concerned the house will attract criminals.
Patrolman Barry Ervin, sent to a dog complaint at the Coronada address, said he found no dog but did find a large quantity of dog droppings and trash bags strewn across the rear yard. He described the odor as overwhelming.
Ward and Ervin forwarded their reports to the city health department and others.
meade@vindy.com