Wyckoff PD Reminds Residents to Shovel Sidewalks, Clear Fire Hydrants in Wake of Winter Storm Sparta

In the wake of Winter Storm Sparta, Wyckoff Police are urging residents to clean their sidewalks and fire hydrants.

“I remind homeowners with sidewalks of their responsibility to clear the snow from the sidewalk within 12 hours of daylight after the snow stops,” Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin C. Fox said. The failure to do so will result in the issuance of a summons and subjects the homeowners to personal liability in the event someone slips and falls, he said.

“I know I speak for the Fire Chief, Lou Graglia, by reminding homeowners that have a fire hydrant on their property of the responsibility to remove the snow around the hydrant,” Chief Fox also added, citing it saves valuable time in an emergency situation and belongs to every homeowner.

“If the hydrant is located on the property of someone else and you know that they are elderly or otherwise incapable of clearing the snow, do it for them,” Chief Fox said. “Perhaps even get a group of neighbors together and each take turns clearing around the hydrant when it snows.”

“Don’t turn a blind eye to a fire hydrant in your neighborhood covered in snow just because it’s not on your property,” Chief Fox told Patch. “Everyone working together keeps a neighborhood safe.”

Winter Storm Sparta brought down four to five inches of snow, which caused “two minor motor vehicle crashes [Sunday] afternoon when the snow was coming down heavy.”

Chief Fox said the DPW was out early to start salting, and was out most the night for the plowing and salting operations.