My late father used to complain that he couldn't hear my mother, though in the next breath he would say that she talked way too much. A similar thing happens in our house. Jim often says he didn't hear me say whatever was important at the time—though I am certain it's a well-honed selective device.
But let a garbage truck start its low rumble through the neighborhood before 6 a.m. and Jim is up and out the door with camera in hand to catch the offending driver in action. The pictures in this post were taken the other morning at York and Maryland at 5:03 a.m!
What many people don't seem to know is that there is a City ordinance regulating the hours a commercial trash hauler is permitted to work in residential districts. Commercial pickups are prohibited within 200' of a residential property from 8:00pm to 6:00am. The trash haulers all know the rules—they just don't care to abide by them.
I have copied the ordinance below. Jim, for whom this issue has been a high priority, suggests you call 911 if your zzzzz's are disturbed before 6. "The City's Finest" bike officers, who will hear the call for service, are aware of the situation and have clear instructions on how to handle the matter. Maybe if more of us call and complain, we can all get a little more shut-eye.
St. Louis City Ordinance 68530
INTRODUCED BY ALDERMAN KACIE STARR TRIPLETT
An ordinance pertaining to the refuse collection from non-residential premises; amending Ordinance 61654, codified in Section 11.02.255 (F) of the Revised Code of the City of St. Louis, and enacting in lieu thereof a new section pertaining to the same subject matter relating to the refuse collection from non-residential premises near residentially zoned premises and premises used as a dwelling; and containing an emergency clause.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION ONE: Ordinance 61654, codified in 11.02.255 (F) of the Revised Code of the City of St. Louis hereby amended as follows:
F. No refuse shall be collected from non-residential premises within two hundred (200) feet of residentially zoned premises or any premises used as a dwelling including, but not limited to, a single-family dwelling, a two-family dwelling, a multi-family dwelling, a town home, or a semi-attached two-family, between the hours of eight p.m. and six a.m.
SECTION TWO. Emergency Clause.
The passage of this ordinance being deemed necessary for the preservation of the public peace,
health and safety, it is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall become effective immediately upon its passage and approval by the mayor
Hmmmm… a little family disagreement. If it were not for Jim, the trucks would be rolling through at 2am. Thanks for trying to keep them ‘honest’. Refuse has also contacted both Allied and Waste Management recently to tell them to ‘shape up’.
The fact Jim rushes out in his nightclothes to snap photos may be more disconcerting than the low rumble of trash trucks!