Shock. That is what Gerry Suttle experienced when police came knocking at her door. This 75-year-old woman has been a Riesel resident for the last 59 years and had no idea how she could have been violating the law.
Turns out having grass on your lawn grow longer than 18 inches is enough to have police issuing a warrant for your arrest.This did not only shock poor Gerry but also the town locals that saw the shocking news of Gerry’s warrant for arrest on the news.
Especially the four Reynolds brothers who took it upon themselves to help this old lady and fellow Riesel resident out by doing a selfless act and mowing her lawn.
But this was not enough to keep the Riesel police at bay and save Gerry from having to appear in court over uncut grass.
Let’s start at the beginning – New laws implemented in Riesel
In November 2014 the Mayor of Riesel passed a new law and city code that any plot with a residential structure on it must ensure that grass and weeds do not exceed the eighteen inches growth limit.
Residential properties weren’t the only ones affected by these new laws, the whole ordinance NO. 2009-08 was amended with stricter rules for the entire city of Riesel, from public spaces to commercial plots, it was stipulated that if the new code on grass & weed growth limits were ignored it will be a direct violation of the ordinance.