It's been almost a year since frustrated students had to drag their makeshift lawn furniture into their houses. Nine months ago, the East Lansing City Council amended an ordinance to try and compel students to keep their couches in their living rooms.
The council wanted to avoid seeing rat-infested, mildew-covered plaid couches used as lawn ornaments. It prohibited any upholstered furniture outside at all - since the change, though, nothing seems that different.
It is obvious that the ordinance passed in August has a loophole in it - enforcement. In fact, violation numbers haven't changed that much. Students have not been fined consistently for keeping their furniture outside, and they are starting to get smarter about when they pull out the furniture. Putting a couch out for a weekend is completely different than putting a couch out for a month, when it can fill up with rainwater and experience a lot of weather damage.
Honestly, it shouldn't be that big of deal to the city if students want to use their couches for an afternoon BBQ - it's not like they can afford a nice patio set. It's not that hard to take in a couch after the party is over, and city officials and students should recognize that.
However, this temporary couch usage actually has been treated somewhat fairly by the council and law enforcement. Upon the first sight of a couch, police only issue a warning, then proceed to issue a violation if by reinspection later, the couch is not removed. This gives residents a chance to take their furniture inside and avoid any penalties. Even if a violation is issued, the citation is $100, which is only $25 more than the original ordinance penalty. Split between a house of four to five people, this is about the same as the cost of a parking ticket on campus.
If the council is that serious about keeping the couches and any other upholstered furniture on the lawn, it should start enforcing this ordinance more strictly or rewording the code. But in all reality, is there anything wrong with someone enjoying a cool glass of lemonade on a warm afternoon on his or her favorite couch?
