Des Moines Iowa at War with Clutter

At the intersection of private property rights and the desire for clean neighborhoods.

"I can't believe the city of Des Moines can come onto your property and take your stuff," said Lelah Swallow

"Clutter is a bad thing for any neighborhood," said Roger Thompson, a member of the River Bend Neighborhood Association in Des Moines. "It draws people that you don't want in the neighborhood."

Des Moines' 15 inspectors drive the streets to investigate complaints. Inspector Bob Reynolds said city employees first try to determine whether the owner is elderly or low-income, since the issue might be money or manpower rather than obstinacy.
The majority of property owners shape up after their first notice, Reynolds said. Others refuse.

"There are the people that: It's their yard and they'll do whatever they want," he said.

Mr. Reynolds seems genuinely shocked by this sentiment