Please observe the public right of way.

[Nobar King]

This message is a followup to the quarterly newsletter. Apparently some residents didn't (or can't) read, and haven't gotten around to moving their basketball posts. Don't worry, each was given an order to remove notice.

All residents were mailed a copy of the municipal code regarding basketball hoops:

Municipal code 16-11-1.3. Basketball goals alongside or within public right-of-ways.

• (1) No portable or fixed basketball goal shall be placed, erected or maintained on or alongside the right-of-way of any public street within the municipal limits of the City so as to allow a person or persons to play within the street. The placement of any basketball goal within a public right-of-way or the presence of persons within a public street playing basketball on such a goal shall be a violation of this section.
• (2) Any violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00). (as added by Ord. #1194, April 1977)

Here is an example of a resident who is using his hoop as a way to keep cars from parking in front of his house. I don't want cars blocking my view, either, but it's still not legal:

I'm sure there are other residents who would like to be able to park on their street without having to avoid this stand.

Here's one where the sidewalk is completely blocked. People have to walk in the street to get around the stand.





Here someone has permanently mounted their basketball hoop:


I don't think this conforms to the municipal code, either. The inspector will have to rule on this one.

Just because the sidewalk is covered in 'grass' or weed doesn't give you permission to block it:



Here's a fine example where someone has the stand for their portable hoop hidden among some bushes. It is neither in the right of way nor blocking anyone's driveway. Unfortunately, these residents are a minority when it comes to effective hoop placement.

Please remind yourself of the regulations, and, if you have a neighbor with a basketball hoop that is improperly placed, please forward them this information.

Some complaints have also been made about the excessive noise that results from kids playing basketball in the street. Please be aware that there is no current code regarding the sound of balls bouncing, but that children should be aware of the curfew and be inside by 10pm. If you have a problem with kids playing outside after ten pm, please call the sheriff's dept. A patrol car will be dispatched and an officer will make the kids go inside or drive them home himself.

NK

[Nobar King]

Re: Please observe the public right of way.

I noticed that some users had viewed this post, but no replies were made. I assume that those of you who have basketball goals that are blocking the right-of-way are making an effort to move them to a more appropriate location. Your driveway or back yard are preferred locations, if you MUST own a basketball hoop.

Here is an example of TWO neighbors who own goals and leave them in the roadway:


Following are some additional examples of homeowners who aren't complying with the right-of-way ordinance. If you see your basketball goal listed here, please make an effort to move it off of the street OR sidewalk. There is no civic variance for permanent installation of basketball goals, so please don't ask.

Patrol cars will be periodically patrolling various neighborhoods, and they will be issuing warnings or citations depending on the situation. You can easily avoid this problem by making an effort to conform to the municipal code.
























How many of these basketball goal stands are even used? I suspect that some of them have been abandoned by the kids who live there, and that others are being used to reserve parking spaces for residents. Neither reason is suitable.

Basketball goals that are not moved following a notice and a subsequent citation will be removed by the department of public works. They will either be disposed of at the dump or donated to a local charity.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. Your participation will help to make this community more enjoyable for everyone.

[Roberta]

Re: Please observe the public right of way.

You must reside in a very negrocentric community, Nobar. Where I live the kids play soccer, hockey and lacrosse.

[Nobar King]

Re: Please observe the public right of way.

It's sad, but it's mostly white boys trying to be Koby Bryant. They all hope for the money ball-playing brings, but most likely none of them will ever amount to anything. The most they can hope to accomplish is to annoy their neighbors with the constant pounding of leather on asphalt.

[Nobar King]

Re: Please observe the public right of way.

This is just an update for anyone who still has their backboard stored in the street: 72hr compliance notices will be issued to the owners of the offending backboards. Look for the bright pink sticker on the support post. Anyone who fails to move or remove the goalpost will be fined 50$ per week for blocking the right of way.

[Mistress Cookie]

Re: Please observe the public right of way.

Thank you for keeping our streets safe, Brother King!

I blame the parents in this instance. For one thing, allowing YOUR children to play in the streets could damage MY car, and secondly...I forgot what the second thing was.

Anyway

<< The most they can hope to accomplish is to annoy their neighbors with the constant pounding of leather on asphalt. >>

There's lots of noise from incessant leather pounding here in godless Hollywood, too. It's disgraceful. I keep a vigilant eye from my bedroom window for the midnight leather pounders, and sometimes videotape their activities to turn over to the sheriff. Once I have a complete collection classifying the full scale of their perversity, the call will go OUT!

[Rev. M. Rodimer]

Re: Please observe the public right of way.

Brother Nobar, as Sister Roberta has pointed out, the Negrosity of this neighborhood is horrifying!

Do you live in the Jensen Flats area outside the Wall, by any chance? The Christiansens gave me a tour of the area when I was out for the Witch Hunt; they said it was where the families of the help lived. There were many basketball hoops there, as well, and plenty of pairs of sneakers tied together and tossed over power lines:

[Nobar King]

Re: Please observe the public right of way.

Fortunately our neighborhood hasn't sunk to that level, yet.

[Nobar King]

Re: Please observe the public right of way.

Just an update: I noticed that a couple of these stands were missing from these locations, so I decided to check the rest to see the status of the basketball situation. Unfortunately, only two were gone, while three others had been pushed in several inches to be clear of the street, but now they are blocking the sidewalk. This was not my intention; my neighbors with their baby strollers need to be able to walk unobstructed by these ratty old playthings.

One was turned sideways so that it was not obstructing the street or the walkway; now it's just being stored outside. UGLY!

Another has been upset (knocked over) and is blocking a whole parking space in the roadway. So rude. There are others which haven't even been moved at all.

After I talked to the police chief about this, he agreed to send out a patrol car to talk to the owners of these 'toys'. If this is you, expect another visit, and a fine this time. Or, do us all a favor, and get rid of your eyesore.

Thanks,

NK