Alderman wants pre-storm cleanup by businesses, contractors

LONG BEACH — Alderman Mark Lishen says Long Beach should require businesses and construction sites to make sure their building materials, trash and trash containers won’t become battering rams in hurricanes.

He tells WLOX-TV he wants an ordinance to make sure that such things are secured or removed before hurricanes arrive on shore.

Lishen’s current proposal wouldn’t penalize homeowners who leave out trash and debris ahead of a hurricane.

But he says that he wants to learn the new contractor’s policy about residential pickup before a disaster. Lishen says that depending on their issue, the town might also need an ordinance to keep residents from putting out debris before a hurricane.

He said some cities along the East Coast already have similar ordinances.