Woman Arrested for Not Watering Lawn

[Ptarmigan]

Woman Arrested for Not Watering Lawn

That's really stupid. Utah is a desert state and watering their yard would waste water. I have never heard anyone get arrested for that.

[Regit]

I'd be interested to know the price of the ticket. The law is not black and white and I don't like forcing people to do something if they can't afford it.

She should have cooperated with police, but the officer's reaction was probably overkill.

[Category 5]

I've heard of people getting arrested for dumb things but this might take the cake. People are out there getting murdered and raped you know.

[Regit]

I've heard of people getting arrested for dumb things but this might take the cake. People are out there getting murdered and raped you know.

Not even close to taking the cake for me.

Locally, there was a case a few years back where a woman went to a magistrate to complain that her boyfriend had implanted a chip into her brain that made her want to have sex with him uncontrollably.

The magistrate issued a warrant for his arrest on assault charges. He spent one night in jail.

The charges were dropped and not long after, the magistrate was removed.

[Ptarmigan]

Not even close to taking the cake for me.

Locally, there was a case a few years back where a woman went to a magistrate to complain that her boyfriend had implanted a chip into her brain that made her want to have sex with him uncontrollably.

The magistrate issued a warrant for his arrest on assault charges. He spent one night in jail.

The charges were dropped and not long after, the magistrate was removed.

Now, that's really BIZARRE!!!! Any articles on that one? That has to be REALLY STUPID.

[TexasStooge]

One word...STUPID!!!

[Terrell]

I think it's ridiculous to put a woman in jail for not watering her lawn, or to ticket her for that matter.

[Opal storm]

Seems like you can get arrested for anything these days.

[MiamiensisWx]

This isn't a surprise to me. Some homeowners' associations have made some extremely frivolous decisions. They want everything to follow their mores. Some high-ranking members will fine residents over anything (i.e. landscaping). They want to control every facet of your life! These incidents have been frequent in Florida, too. It is not restricted to a particular state. It's an unfortunate fact of life, especially because of the endless supply of lawsuits. These associations will not listen to residents. Occasionally, they have violated law enforcement.

In south Florida, many associations will replace residents' landscaping with tall trees. These replacements have featured poor positions, and they will topple in tropical storm-force winds. Despite the threat to structures, the homeowners' associations have plenty of ammunition on their sides. They can control your usage of indoor water supplies, too. I will never be surprised by their actions. Unfortunately, their practices have been wasteful, selfish, and gluttonous.

[Andrew92]

Maybe law enforcement is just bored and needs something to arrest someone for.

-Andrew92

[chadtm80]

Should she have been arested? Maybe not.. Should she have cooperated with the Officer? FOR SURE!!

Also did you look at her yard? http://media.bonnint.net/slc/161/16135/1613558.jpg

You wouldnt care if you were a neighbor and trying to sell your house or something? She violated an ordinace.. she deserved the ticket. P.S. they dont usualy ticket the first time out.. and seeing that she hadnt watered in a year I would bet she had received warnings

[O Town]

Looks to me by that picture that watering the yard at this point wouldn't have helped much.

[chadtm80]

on the contrary.. The roots are still there.. You would be amazed what watering can do for dead grass.. comes back in no time

[O Town]

I dunno about that Chad maybe the grass is different up there in Utah, but my St. Augustine in not that forgiving. lol.

[Opal storm]

Look at this...
http://kob.com/article/stories/S103480.shtml?cat=504

$500 and 90 days in jail for having weeds.

[Opal storm]

Should she have been arested? Maybe not.. Should she have cooperated with the Officer? FOR SURE!!

Also did you look at her yard? http://media.bonnint.net/slc/161/16135/1613558.jpg

You wouldnt care if you were a neighbor and trying to sell your house or something?

It would be a bit annoying but it's their yard, if they don't want to cut the grass then so be it. At least her yard actually has grass, in my neighborhood with all the oak trees our yards are mostly dirt. Also, ever think that maybe she can't afford to water her grass?

[chadtm80]

Should she have been arested? Maybe not.. Should she have cooperated with the Officer? FOR SURE!!

Also did you look at her yard? http://media.bonnint.net/slc/161/16135/1613558.jpg

You wouldnt care if you were a neighbor and trying to sell your house or something?

It would be a bit annoying but it's their yard, if they don't want to cut the grass then so be it. At least her yard actually has grass, in my neighborhood with all the oak trees our yards are mostly dirt. Also, ever think that maybe she can't afford to water her grass?

And if someone were to report those in your neighborhood they too would face the fine I can assure you. Maybe she cant afford to water? I dont know.. and you dont either I suppose.. It is still a law? Some people may not be able to afford to feed there kids.. but guess what happens if they dont...

[Opal storm]

Should she have been arested? Maybe not.. Should she have cooperated with the Officer? FOR SURE!!

Also did you look at her yard? http://media.bonnint.net/slc/161/16135/1613558.jpg

You wouldnt care if you were a neighbor and trying to sell your house or something?

It would be a bit annoying but it's their yard, if they don't want to cut the grass then so be it. At least her yard actually has grass, in my neighborhood with all the oak trees our yards are mostly dirt. Also, ever think that maybe she can't afford to water her grass?

And if someone were to report those in your neighborhood they too would face the fine I can assure you. Maybe she cant afford to water? I dont know.. and you dont either I suppose.. It is still a law? Some people may not be able to afford to feed there kids.. but guess what happens if they dont...

Nobody in my neighborhood has ever faced a fine over dead grass. And how can you compare feeding kids with watering the grass? Having grass is THAT important?

[chadtm80]

No.. Not trying to compare not feeding kids to not feeding your grass.. My point was not having the money to obey the law is not neccisarily a defense.

My other point is that these laws are rarely enforced unless they receive a complaint like from a neighbor. Then if one complains it is the officers obligation to go out and up hold the law in the neighbors sake. Its thier job.. one should not get upset at the officer for doing his job.

[Opal storm]

I'm not blaming the officer, I'm blaming the people who come up with these stupid "laws". And I agree that she was wrong for not cooperating with the officer.

As for the fines, I can understand if someone has dead cars or trash always laying out on their property then yes they should be fined for that. But I don't see what the big deal is with having dead grass or weeds. And if it bothers somebody so much, then why don't they be a friendly neighbor and offer to water their grass or cut their weeds for them?