Really? We are employing another pen pusher!

I think there is too much money in City coffers and they are looking for ways to spend it.

What a waste of a resource.

Good for Palo Alto! In terms of improving health and general quality of life, this is money well spent. If only Menlo Park would follow suit; and while they’re at it, ban ALL leaf blowers.

It's great that Palo Alto is enforcing this ordinance at long last. I hope other communities follow suit!

There was (is?) an exception for city employees to let them use gas blowers on city property. Curious what is the status of that now.

That’s great news! I’m amazed at the level of fumes that the gas powered blowers put out. You can smell them a block away.

Well done Craig!

Given a few of the comments above, I can see why an enforcement officer is necessary. But beyond that, its important to have someone who can work with yard crews constructively to make the transition.

Wait, so the city hired someone to enforce the gas powered leaf blower ban, but the person had no knowledge of leaf blowers?

Is the city going to hire different people for each code that needs enforcing? Solid strategy.

How about one for off-leash dogs at the parks/schools?

It's time and I'll monitor closely.

Not only gas-powered leaf blowers but all leaf blowers should be banned for the following reasons:
1. It generates dust and pollute the air.
2. Most gardeners simply blow leaves into public area or neighbors.

I don't like leaf blowers but I won't rat out my neighbors.

Los Altos also has a ban, if you want to report a violation: 650 947 2775.

I checked the CORE program, but it seems that you have to go through an authorized reseller, and the closest is near Monterey?

I am THRILLED about this, can't stand the noise and the pollution. I'm happy to "rat" out my neighbors!

So happy Palo Alto is enforcing its gasoline leaf blower ban. I only hope they soon extend the ban to commercial and governmental landowners. With new technology and interchangeable batteries, electric leaf blowers work better than ever. This does not only help the general public including those with asthma like me. It also means we do not exploit low income workers. Their hearing loss and lung issues from using gasoline blowers was a high price to pay for a reduced cost to us for gardening. I have paid my gardener extra for years to use rakes

Tackling the things that really matter, it seems. What an incredible position of privilege... to consider this of all things a priority issue for law enforcement.

Headlines like these are why Palo Alto has a reputation of being home to overeducated and entitled wealthy boomers with not enough to do.

Ok,

Now lets do a full time officer to enforce the 3 day limit on RV camping at any one location.

The onces wrapping our block have been there for more than 5 years...and the only time we get something close to enforcement is when one catches fire.

BTW...when I first read this article I thought it was cut from "The Onion".

Gnar: do you perhaps ski Squaw - er - Palisades Tahoe?
Neal: d'accord.

Very happy to see the gas blower ban finally being enforced. I especially appreciate that Mr Hartley is driving around and citing those he sees. Thank you!

Am I the only person who sees the irony in the leaf blower environmental police chasing around town in a gas burning car to save the world from gas powered leaf blowers?

Again, when I first read this...I thought it was The Onion.

Instead of hiring an enforcement officer, why doesn't the city just give out electric leaf blowers to all the landscapers that service properties in Palo Alto.

With the state incentive program a backpack blower is about $450 (discounter from $900). So assuming that Hartley is paid $60,000 a year that is 130 electric leaf blowers a year that the city could distribute.

Otherwise Hartley has an incentive to NOT do their job well. If everyone starts using electric leaf blowers then there is not reason to keep this position.

/marc

I would like to see CPA do a mass mailing explaining that they are going to start enforcing this regulation. We have several new neighbors who have weekly blow-and-go guys around here. We all can afford electric blowers but I'm sure they have no idea there are regulations requiring their use.

Happy to suggest that Mr. Hartley have a chat with them but I think a mailing is a better first step.

I would instead prioritize an officer to ticket speeding cars and red light runners.
Speed + Mass kills.

Leaf blowers are annoying, loud and nasty GHG emissions generators, but they don't kill and maim people. It would be good if people transitioned more quickly to electric (or a rake), but driver behavior needs enforcement of traffic laws to keep people safe.

Ticket scofflaw drivers, please, PAPD. Save lives.