Should you call the chimney cops?
I was confronted with a personal dilemma this morning as I walked through our smoky Fresno neighborhood. There was smoke wafting from a nearby chimney, and I knew it was a no-burn day.
I know the neighbor. Nice guy. I also know the smoke would be pouring out if he had just started the fire. It was a dying fire, but he obviously had allowed it to go all night.
Should I turn him in? It's a $50 fine. The smoke wasn't that bad. He's a decent guy. Should I let it go? What would you do? Why?
I did not call the chimney cops. Instead, I will just mention it to him, along with a reminder that even if I didn't turn him in, someone else might.
If that doesn't work, maybe I should call the chimney cops on my own neighbor.
Comments:
Of course you should. There is no other way to reasonably account for the late night rise in the PM 2.5s but to conclude that the burning prohibitions are widely flouted. I think anyone burning in this unventilated valley fails the nice guy test. I wonder if he would be so casual about stoking his night fire if there were a thousand dollar fine, or if someone he loved had heart or lung disease. He might benefit by your moral suasion, but phoning him in will definitely have a salutary effect. Did you notice him burning again this morning?
Posted by: max at January 30, 2009 2:21 AM
I was out this morning again around 5:30. No smoke in the neighborhood. I'd like to take credit, but I haven't spoken with him yet. I'm hoping he noticed the no-burn announcement for Fresno County in the newspaper. I'll stroll over this weekend with a cup of French roast and chat with him.
Posted by: Mark Grossi at January 30, 2009 7:57 AM
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