Some Blacksburg residents might find themselves a little lighter in the pockets should municipally issued trash carts remain on town streets for an extended period of time.

Blacksburg Mayor David Hogue said he didn't think the town had a problem obeying a policy which requires trash cans to be at the end of driveways the night before pickup is scheduled and away from the street prior to sunset.

"There are only a few of the roll-out carts hanging around the side of the road when I travel around the town," Hogue said. "From what I see, there are only a few here and there."

Apparently, a concerned Blacksburg resident felt otherwise, giving Hogue a call asking him and town council to reassess the issue.

"This resident rode around Blacksburg and counted a total of 67 carts violating town policy," Hogue said.

According to Blacksburg municipal code, violating the ordinance can result in "a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days." In addition to the fine, a court order may require those violating the policy to participate in picking up trash or performing another type of community service.

"It's a pretty serious penalty," Blacksburg Town Administrator Trudy Martin said. "We hate to issue tickets for something like this, so it's best to follow the policy."

Public works crews make 765 stops on their weekly garbage pickup routes, with the majority of homes obeying the ordinance, town public works director Roger Childers said.

However, Childers said he has no power to enforce the policy.

"Only the (Blacksburg) police department has the right to enforce the policy," he said.

Town officials have made plans to issue notices to those in violation of the ordinance, informing them of the rules and the consequences should they not be followed.