Hollywood Wants Residents to Rat Out Neighbors

Officials in Hollywood are signing up volunteers to rat out their neighbors as they seek economical ways to deal with a shortage of code enforcement officers.

The South Florida Sun Sentinel reports the trained volunteers will warn residents about problems such as overgrown grass and putting trash cans out too early. But they won't be allowed to issue violation notices.

If a warning isn't taken care of within seven days, a Hollywood code enforcement officer will follow up.

So far, 25 volunteers have signed on for the program, which is being tested in the Hollywood Lakes neighborhood. If the test goes well, the program could be expanded city-wide.

Similar program are in place in Port St. Lucie and Austin, Texas.

Officials say Hollywood has 12 code enforcement officers.