Prince Georgians Found Violating The Bad Neighbor Bill Can Be Fined $1K

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Bad neighbors are no fun, but in Prince George's County, being a bad neighbor now will come with a penalty.

The Prince George’s County Council unanimously passed a bill Tuesday that would double the fine for violations heard by the county's nuisance abatement board from $500 to $1,000, according to WTOP News. The final vote came without discussion. A hearing held last month on the subject also generated only a minimal amount of discussion.

“It goes to help the county executive’s beautification efforts and we believe that by doubling the fine, we’ll have more compliance with the orders that have been issued by the board,” Melinda Bolling, the director of the Prince George’s County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement, said at last month’s hearing.

According to the board, this fine doesn't apply to neighbors whose grass grows too high or trash cans are left sitting out for days on end. They're typically applied to properties where activities such as drugs, prostitution and other illegal or unpermitted activities are occurring.

In recent years, the county issued close to $50,000 in fines by the board, but collected less than $12,000 of that which was assessed.

“Something else has to happen to people, because people who are doing these things often just don’t care,” said Council member Jolene Ivey, who not only supported the bill but also penalties that go even beyond the $1,000 fines.

The new fines take effect 45 days after the bill is signed into law.