Police: Don't Throw Out Unwrapped Mattresses

With spreading bed bugs a real risk, Sleepy Hollow police were kept busy recently issuing numerous summons to citizens who left unwrapped mattresses curbside.

"The DPW will not pick up any mattress that is not wrapped in plastic," said Lt. Anthony Bueti. 

Police issued a number of tickets on Sept. 13 and 14 for residents who left this large trash out improperly. 

On Sept. 13 at 6:42 a.m., a North Washington Street caller told police that a mattress removed from an apartment was left standing up on the corner. Police visited the home in question and the residents there said the mattress had been dropped there from somewhere else so they moved it to the corner. Police didn't think it looked like a safety risk. 

On Sept. 14 at 10:58am, an officer reported finding mattresses not wrapped in proper plastic left out on Valley Street, College Avenue and North Washington Street. The mattresses would not be picked up without being covered. Building inspector Sean McCarthy was contacted and said if police took pictures he would issue summonses. 

In the evening, the mattress saga continued on Kendall Avenue with a caller at 6:15 p.m. telling police that someone was on his property, had damaged his shed, and placed old mattresses on his property. 

An officer took pictures of the property that had been spray-painted. The complainant only wanted a blotter entry made at this time. There were no witnesses or cameras on scene.