DETROIT – Vanessa Kilgore owns two properties in Detroit.
She found two tickets totaling $200 because trash cans at her properties were left out too long.
"It says for either being out before trash day or if it stayed out late after trash day, they give you a $100 fine," she said. "No warning. It's just a ticket."
The tickets ordered Kilgore to go to court down at City Hall.
Rules about trash cans have been on the city's books for years but the laws have not been enforced until now. For instance, on Thursday the city received a complaint about an overflowing trash can being place curbside too early. Moreover a homeowner could be fined because the can is not placed behind the house following pickup.
Why has there been a change in enforcement?
Neighbors are pushing the city to enforce the rules to fight all blight. David Becker, of the Grandmont Neighborhood Association, said "rules are rules" and:
"It's time for all Detroiter's -- new and old -- to stand up and be responsible if we want our city to shine."
Becker is not alone. Five hundred people have complained to the city, posting problems to the Improve Detroit app. Now that the first tickets have been sent, the city is now shifting and will be sending a warning.
"More people are starting to complain they're saying, 'Hey look, people care about where they live,' and this may seem like a simple matter to some, but it's huge as it relates to the beauty of your neighborhood," said Stephanie Young, district manager.
Trash cans can be placed curbside after 6 p.m. the evening before trash day. The cans have to be back up by the house by 6 a.m. the day after trash pickup.