Many sidewalks still unshoveled in Columbia
The snow isn’t just posing challenges for drivers, it’s affecting people that walk to their destinations, too.
ABC 17 News drove around Columbia on Friday and saw several people forced to walk in the snow, or worse, the streets because the sidewalks were unshoveled.
This is despite the fact that the City of Columbia has an ordinance requiring business owners or home owners to shovel the sidewalks in front of their building.
The ordinance said those responsible for clearing sidewalks could be found guilty of a misdemeanor if they don’t comply.
One man walking along Stadium Boulevard near the Columbia Mall said he hopes the business or home owners that do not shovel do get ticketed.
“I almost slipped and fell on some ice coming up here to my job,” Dan Harrell said. “They could possibly hurt somebody by not shoveling, it’s really not safe.”
Harrell walks on the snow rather than the street because it’s safer. But he is mad he has to choose between two bad options since the sidewalks haven’t been shoveled.
“I have no other option than walk in the snow or get hit by a car,” Harrell said.
ABC 17 News found out that the city hasn’t really been enforcing the ordinance — no one has been ticketed for neglecting to shovel yet this year.
Theresa White with Columbia Public Works said citizens should make a complaint to the city against the business and the city will contact them to take care of it.
ABC 17 News tried reaching out to several businesses today that haven’t shoveled their sidewalks to find out why they haven’t, but they declined to comment.
