As fresh blankets of snow greet students and the residents of Ames, the city is cracking down on residents who don’t shovel their sidewalks.

Over winter break, several Ames residents were fined for not shoveling their sidewalks. According to the city’s snow ordinance, property owners are given 10 daylight hours to clear a 4-foot-wide surface through the area after the latest snowfall.

The city of Ames received complaints from neighbors, mail carriers and pedestrians trying to walk down the sidewalks. Notices were left on the offending property owners’ doors indicating that they had 24 hours to find a way to get their sidewalks shoveled – otherwise, they would face the consequences.

The city fined offenders $50 plus any fees the private contractor hired by the city accrues for removing the snow and ice from the area. On average, the fees range from $90 to $150.

Matthew Pepper, grounds supervisor of the city of Ames, said the penalty has existed for quite some time now, and it is the property owner’s responsibility – even if he or she is not in town.

“Even though they know they are going to be gone, they need to get someone to take care of it,” Pepper said.

Pepper said property owners are welcome to contest the fine, but he feels it would be pointless to do so since the contractor hired to remove the snow is videotaped while performing the job.

Some off-campus students feel that the ordinance should continue to be enforced, and people should simply follow the rules as best as they can.

“It could become a serious safety hazard if people don’t shovel their snow,” said Kimberly Williamson, senior in industrial engineering. “I think, since the laws are already in place and they already know how much they are going to be charged, then it’s fair.”