I just got back from driving my daughter to the high school. So many unshovelled sidewalks including city owned property. The kids were walking on snowbanks or in the street. Yes it was a lot of snow. but it did happen on a weekend and these sidewalks should be shovelled. Now is the time to start fining, even the Stop & Shop and Shaw's plazas sidewalks are not done. This is not a good street for kids to be walking on to get to school.

I agree. I think it may have been unwise to send kids back today. Walking in snow banks is a great way to get your clothing wet and sitting in wet clothing in school all day is neither comfortable nor healthy. I think it was unwise on several fronts.

I have my sidewalk shovelled, however, everyone still walks in the street. As drivers and walkers, we need to slow down and pay attention due to these conditions. It is also impossible to shovel some of these corners. They are so high from plows that they can not be done. Drive safely and slowly is the most imporant factor at this point.

Perhaps the city should worry about clearing their streeets, such as Orchard St, rather than fining people.

they will not enforce anything. The last time we had snow, none of the businesses on Willett Ave, from the Citizens Bank all the way up to the gas station across from Town Pizza, shoveled their sidewalks. The snow was there until it melted and forced me to run in the street. I will be taking pictures and posting them this time so we can see if the city enforces it or not. I will also boycott any business that does not make it safe for their customers.

While I do agree the sidewalks should be shoveled for pedestrians safety, I think the City should worry about their responsibility to clear the roads. Now the entire community can see what many have known for quite some time. Aging equipment, diminished staffing and poor leadership have made it to the forefront for all to see. The way this storm was handled (or not handled) is the way this city has been operating in all areas for a long time. Demand more from your City!!

Wait a second, doesn't everyone want smaller government, less taxes? Well this is part of the problem with "diminished staffing" and "aging equipment". I do agree the city could have done a better job, but the situation is the same in Pawtucket, Providence and North Providence. It was quite a storm, I remember waiting 6 days for a plow in '78.

Exactly. Don't blame the worker who was sent home when the job wasn't done. You can't blame the driver of the broken down piece of equipment that has been patched together too many times rather than been replaced. Isn't there a story on the Patch about two house fires in less than 24hrs in the middle of a blizzard? Didn't it state that the FF's on the scene had been working for 48hrs straight? "They all suck"?? Really? You may want to rethink that statement. I'm thinking after being behind the wheel of a plow for 24hrs, the last thing they're thinking is "they are big/bad".

It is a bit unfair to expect most to shovel the amount of snow the plows leave especially after the amount we got. I would ask the city to work with the state on roads like Pawtucket ave. And when our own city plows pile snow at the corner they should be responsible for not only opening the sidewalk but opening the view so folks can pull out..... Very unfair if you fine anyone in this condition

Also as of this morning the full four lanes still are not open completely on Pawtucket ave. City needs to call the state better yet let the budget commission call them, it is a hazard. Plus the kids are in danger that have to walk to school, do we need someone hurt before something is done.......council people,Mayor Brieden get on it

The problem I have with this ordinance is what happens if the plow comes by and throws all the snow back in? Take pictures after you shovel. Also, be aware of any language that says you have to clear fire hydrants and storm drains. They enforce this in Providence and the people are upset. Compeling people to do this will not win any friends. I would ask where the people that are on community service are? Where are the people who are on public assistance and are physically able to do this? The taxpayers deserve a break and tap this resource.

First of all I think people and businesses should clear their sidewalks. But if the city is unable to plow the streets in a halfway decent manner they have no right to fine people for not doing their sidewalks. I think we all understand the budget constraints. I don't have a big problem with how long it took to be plowed I do have a problem with the quality of the work. Since when does the plowing stop 6, 7 or 8 feet from the side of the road. Now you have people walking, and running on tremendously narrowed streets with aggravated drivers certainly a recipe for disaster. I think a good responsible neighbor or business clears their sidewalk and if they are physically unable to do so I like the idea of having people who are receiving financial assistance or doing community service being pressed into service.