Rochester, N.Y. – Jeiri Flores doesn’t like going outside after it snows. The SUNY Brockport student and city resident uses a wheelchair.
“I can’t go anywhere alone because at any point in time I could get stuck,” Flores said. “I’ve been stuck before and it’s just not a pleasant experience.”
Rochester sidewalks are tough to navigate for anyone after a heavy snowfall. They’re coated with snow and ice. While some businesses and homeowners clear a path, others do not.
George Bryant used a cane to make his way up Lake Ave. after a trip to the store. He left his wheelchair at home because of the condition of the sidewalks.
“I’m scared of falling. Don’t want to get these old bones broken up because they already in bad shape,” he said.
Jose Ortiz also used a cane to walk.
“Can’t walk straight and it’s hard for me to walk,” Ortiz said.
People who walked to bus stops also had concerns.
“You got to make your own pathway to get on the bus, because there’s nothing cleared off,” said Angela Price.
The city plows sidewalks after several inches of snow falls. City code requires property owners and first floor tenants to clear remaining snow and ice by 9 a.m. The city mainly enforces the law through citizen complaints to the 311 line and along commercial strips. The city prefers to work with property owners before issuing tickets as a last resort.
Flores hopes property owners will clear sidewalks because it’s the right thing to do.
“We have to work hard to get where we want to,” she said.
