Town Mistakingly Posts Signs Threatening $250 Fines For Uncollected Poop And Then Told That The Fine Is Only $25 . . . So Town Moves To Change Law To Fit The Signs
jonathanturley
Given the pig poop story this morning, we might as well continue the scatilogical theme. The Town of North Hempstead has made a rather interesting decision that seems to confirm the view of many that some laws are solutions in search of a problem. The government put up new signs around the town threatening $250 fines for dog waste violations, but received complaints that the law actually sets the fine at $25. A typo had increased the fine 10 fold. No problem, the town said, we will change the law to match the signs.
Town officials said it would be cheaper to raise the fine than replace the erroneous signs.
The town board is holding a public hearing on the matter Dec. 9.
Notably, the signs chastise citizens that all of this “IS REQUIRED BY LAW” but it appears that is now meant to be expressed in the future tense in Hempstead’s new approach of posting and then passing laws.
