South Lake Tahoe, CA- As cleanup continues from the weekend storm, more snow is expected over the next two days. The City is asking the community to make cleanup a priority.
“We’ve seen so many businesses in the area step-up to keep their properties and sidewalks clean,” said Chris Fiore, Communications Manager for the City, “It's these efforts in our community that help keep everyone safe."
Pedestrian safety is a big concern during the winter months and when the sidewalks and walkways are not cleared it forces the pedestrians onto the plowed roadways. Property owners that have property lines that border, or are adjacent to, any city right-of-way, it is the property owner’s responsibility to remove the snow from any sidewalk or walkway.
Owners and their tenants must clear the sidewalk or walkway from snow and ice within 12 hours of the end of the snow event, or every 24 hours within the duration of a snow event.
There have also been reports of snow play too close to roadways, especially “snow caves.” Children building “snow caves” near the street create real dangers and kids, being inside of those caves can create serious problems.
“We spend a lot of time teaching young children to stay away from snow removal equipment,” said Ray Jarvis, Public Works Director, “The equipment is big; it’s dangerous; it’s loud, and operators cannot hear shouts for help or stop the equipment in time if a child is trapped in a hidden “snow cave.””
So, have fun in the snow, but build these caves away from snow removal equipment areas. It’s also important to know where they are, because “snow caves” can collapse with children inside.