By Billy Davis

If that old chest freezer is still sitting in your front yard, consider this a warning shot.

The City of Batesville’s code enforcement office will begin writing citations in March, clamping down on junky yards within the city limits.

Homeowners who want to avoid a trip to court should begin hauling away junk items right now, said code enforcement officer John McCollum.

All private property in Batesville falls under the city’s “junk” ordinance, which includes a hefty $500 fine for a first offense.

The ordinance lists only a few prohibited items, such as wrecked automobiles, batteries, paper and trash, and scrap metal. But many other things fall under the ordinance because it was written to include anything that is “discarded,” “inoperative,” or in a “state of disrepair.”

McCollum said city’s ordinance is “zero tolerance,” meaning a homeowner will not receive a warning before being ticketed.

He said two homeowners were found guilty and fined in city court last year. Both tickets were written for junk cars.

McCollum is presently writing citations for the City of Batesville after graduating from a law enforcement course at the University of Mississippi. Before he was certified, a police officer had to accompany McCollum and write the ticket, then appear in court for prosecution.

The newest crackdown comes after prosecution in city court was “bogged down” last year by confusing language in the ordinance, said Alderman Stan Harrison.

“That’s been worked out,” Harrison said. “There is no more misunderstanding this time.”

The Board of Aldermen and Mayor Jerry Autrey are “united” about cleaning up the town, Harrison said.

For questions about the city ordinance, or to report a junky neighbor, call the city’s Code Enforcement office at 563-6621.