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Taking Back Our Neighborhoods: A big weed problem

By Joe Birch - bio | email | Twitter | Facebook

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC-TV) - The weeds are so high on one South Memphis street they've become a traffic hazard, not to mention a breeding ground for vermin - both of the rodent and criminal variety!

The weeds cover the sidewalk on South Orleans at Walker in south Memphis.

"You have to walk in the street and you run the risk of being hit by a car," resident Liz Gigger said.

High grass blocks Emma Jordan's view when she backs her car out on Walker.

"I paid people to cut the hedges down so I could back out my driveway," she said. "I took it upon myself to cut the weeds down on the street and everything."

But now they've grown back. Neighbors say the city owns the empty lot, and they've called repeatedly without any luck.

"We have this problem every year, but this is the first year they've been so neglectful," Gigger said.

"It needs to be done because its a health hazard and we have people who just throw stuff in the field," Jordan added. "It's creating a big problem."

And this is just one of *many* overgrown lots on Walker. Residents said their neighbors have been robbed by criminals hiding in high weeds!

The city has an online system now where you can report high grass and other code enforcement violations.  You can find a link by clicking here.

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