Martinsburg Police Dept. Reminds Residents of Summer Ordinances

With summer rapidly approaching and another school year completed, the Martinsburg Police Department issued the following reminders for the health and safety of all citizens in the Borough.

• Skateboards and roller blades are not permitted on the roadways or sidewalks. Permission must be obtained prior to the use of skateboards and roller blades on private property and sidewalks.

• Watch out for bicyclists and pedestrians. Bicyclists of all ages must obey all laws pertaining to bicycles on the highway. All young people under 12 years of age must wear an approved bicycle helmet. PennDOT publishes a “Bicycle Driver’s Manual,” which can be downloaded from their website. The link can be found on Martinsburg Borough website under interesting links. The police department strongly encourages everyone to review this material. They have noticed an increasing number of bicyclists riding after dark with no lighting. Bicycles are required to have a headlight and a tail light when being ridden after dark.

• Speeding continues to be a common source of complaints in the area. It is also a factor in many accidents. The police department will be checking the speeds of vehicles and strictly enforcing the laws. Please remember - “Click It or Ticket” – buckle up for your safety, it’s the law. No texting while driving.

• Dogs are not permitted to run at large, and cannot bark and create a nuisance within the community. Make sure dogs have shelter, food and water. It is unlawful for any dog to enter upon the property of another, or to deposit excretions or animal wastes on another person’s property. If this occurs, it is the dog owner’s responsibility to clean up after their dog. All dogs must be properly licensed and have their rabies shot.

• Curfew is 10 p.m. within the Borough of Martinsburg. It is unlawful for minors under the age of eighteen (18), to be, or remain in or on the streets, alleys, parks or public places in the Borough of Martinsburg after 10 p.m. and before the hour of 6 a.m., unless the minor is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.  

• It is unlawful to attach balloons, streamers, signs or other objects to any street sign, signpost or utility pole. Yard sale signs should be removed at the end of the sale.

• All trees hanging out over any street or alley must be trimmed so that no part of the tree or shrub is less than fourteen (14) feet above the road surface.

• The Borough of Martinsburg does have a nuisance ordinance and the police department encourages all residents to keep their grass cut and to remove all vehicles that may be in violation of the ordinance. Accumulation of junk and rubbish is prohibited and abandoned vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense along with a fine and court cost.  

Citations can be issued with fines and court costs imposed for violations of any of these ordinances or state laws. Citizens are urged to contact the Martinsburg Police Department if there are any questions concerning these or other borough ordinances or state laws.

For more information about local ordinances, and to see a list of special events planned for the year, visit the borough’s web site at www.martinsburgpa.org.

Please assist the borough in keeping our community clean and safe throughout the year.