If the weeds at 2637 Mesa St. in Oakland Park were another kind of weed, I believe the police could make a case not just for possession, but for intent to distribute.

But the weeds are just, pardon the expression, garden variety.

Still, they've made an impression on Concerned Reader Bobby McGill, who lives across the street. McGill said the house has been vacant since last year and the front yard isn't being taken care of.

"I've seen snakes coming out of those weeds and raccoons," McGill said.

Snakes can be venomous and raccoons can carry all kinds of diseases, such as rabies, McGill said. And with Key Elementary School just around the corner, kids are walking by that yard all the time.

McGill said he called the city in May to complain. That started the familiar ball rolling with them trying to contact the owner, then sending a notice of non-compliance, then if nothing gets done, they'd put in a work order to get the yard cut. Or they could take the owner to Environmental Court. Either way, if the city pays to get the yard cut, the homeowner gets a bill for the service and if he doesn't pay up, they put a lien on the property.

For the record, city code prohibits weeds over 18 inches in your yard. These top three feet in some places.

That was in May. Now we're almost in September and the yard looks like a Kansas wheat field, except the waves of grain aren't amber … or even grain, for that matter.

I will call my friends over at Special Enforcement and ask when the weed whacker is scheduled to arrive.

Meanwhile, Key kids, walk on the other side of the street.

Update

I got a call from an Anonymous Relieved Reader who had called earlier to report an overgrown yard and a dangerous leaning garage on the corner of Richard Street and 18th Avenue.

Our friend Rebecca Wiggins with the city's inspections and codes department contacted the owner, who said she would take care of things.

I'm glad to report that the garage has been taken down and probably now resides at the landfill and much (though not all) of the shrubbery has been trimmed back.

On another subject, I was happy to report last week that you all pitched in about $1,000 to the Coweta Falls chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution for the care and maintenance of the Revolutionary War soldier's gravesite on Warm Springs Road.

Well imagine my surprise when I got a very nice certificate of appreciation "in recognition of outstanding support" of the SAR from the Coweta Falls chapter.

It now adorns a wall in my plush, spacious and well-appointed cube on 12th Street.

As much as I appreciate the certificate, all I did was my job. It was you readers who stepped up and made it happen. On behalf of the SAR, thanks for that.

Seen something that needs attention? Contact me at mowen@ledger-enquirer.com or 706-571-8570.