Local

Tavares leaders propose ordinance to stop unwanted paper deliveries

TAVARES, Fla. — Tavares city leaders are giving residents the chance to stop getting unwanted newspapers delivered to their driveways.

Residents said they’re worried that when the newspapers build up on the driveways of vacant houses, it becomes an invitation for criminals to break into the homes.

“If a house looks deserted, then you are going to have problems because people do break into these homes and these houses, and pretty much gut them out,” said resident Harry Smith.

It’s the main reason Smith picks up not only his unwanted papers, but the ones next door as well.

Now the city plans to put a new “do not mail” rule on the books.

The proposed ordinance would allow residents to call the publisher and tell them to stop delivering the papers.

The publisher will then have a certain time frame to stop deliveries, but if they continue to get dropped off after the time limit, the publisher would have to answer to code enforcement.

“There’s no way for the resident to anticipate the delivery when they are out of town, so this is a proactive way for residents to take control of the situation,” said Joyce Ross, a spokesperson for the city.

Tavares city leaders will take up the ordinance at its next meeting on Wednesday.