Cranston Demands Removal of Basketball Hoops from Streets and Sidewalks in Under 2 Hours
Monday, December 16, 2019
Residents of the City of Cranston are questioning why city officials are demanding that basketball hoops be removed from city streets -- and sidewalks -- with just two hours notice.
On December 12, the city sent the following letter to residents with basketball hoops that were deemed to be in violation of city ordinance.
The letter stated:
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTDear Cranston Resident,
The City of Cranston will be enforcing The Code of the City of Cranston, Chapter 12 Entitled “Street and Sidewalk use Regulations.”
At the present time, you are in violation with the basketball hoop. You have 2 hours from the time you are notified by an Official of the City of Cranston to remove said object from the street or sidewalk area. Any person that does remove obstructing objects will be cited and fined by the Cranston Police Department.
John Coros, Department of Public Works Highway Division
"I received the letter stuffed in between my doors on Tuesday," said Cranston resident Michaela McGurn-Chambers. "Not really sure why it’s all of a sudden an issue. The basketball net is on the grassy area of the sidewalk, not blocking any traffic and with plenty of pedestrian walk space."
"I have 5 boys and the first thing they do off the bus is grab the ball and head outside," she added. "Rather see that then running to the games or watching YouTube videos. Hopefully, it will be resolved. Not very useful to the boys in the backyard on the grass."
"It’s a shame, really. I can absolutely see it being an issue if it’s in the street and causing a problem for the plows or busses. Hopefully, there can be some resolution," she said.
Existing Ordinance -- and Future Use.
Current city ordinance states the following:
No person shall place or cause to be place on any city street any basketball hoop or anything whatsoever which would obstruct or interfere with snow removal operations, not allow any of the same to remain more than two hours after being notified by a police officer or the director of public works or their designee to remove it; except that nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prevent the use of the streets and sidewalks for construction or renovation upon obtaining a permit…or for garbage placement and collection.
Cranston City Council Member John Donegan responded on social media that he is looking into the matter.
"I emailed the administration and our council attorney... to seek clarification as to why 1) everyone is getting these letters now; 2) clarifying how 12.12.100 applies to sidewalks (it only states streets); 3) is there any process for appeal," said Donegan.
"My recommendation: don’t leave the basketball hoop on the curb during the winter. If it is blocking a part of the sidewalk, or if the hoop hangs over into the street it could be deemed as interfering with snow removal. I’m going to introduce amendments next month to help clarify everything in the code," he added.
This story was first published 12/15/19 5:59 PM.
