Coaldale is increasing the penalties for those found violating of a number of borough ordinances.

“We feel that they are not strong enough and people think, ‘Oh, that is all I have to pay,’ ” if they are found in violation, council President Rose Hoban explained.

As a result, she said, the penalty fees will be increased to make people rethink — and hopefully change — their behavior.

The ordinances include quality of life, abandoned and junked vehicles, control of animals, parking regulations and motor vehicle nuisances.

The quality of life ordinance, Hoban said, encompasses accumulation of rubbish, high weeds, ice removal, outside placement of indoor furniture and other violations.

“This one is definitely going to be pushed with our new code enforcers,” Hoban said. She said if the borough receives reports about properties where the ordinance is being violated, the information will be forwarded to code enforcement.

The old ordinance set fines at $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second and $100 for the third. It will now be $75 for the first, $125 for the second and $175 for the third.

As for abandoned and junked vehicles, violators can face up to a $1,000 fine.

“This is a big one,” Hoban said. “There are too many abandoned and too many junked vehicles sitting in yards that cannot be there because of the ordinance.”

Violators face $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second and $1,000 for the third.

Parking violations, which include vehicles parked illegally, in handicapped spaces or in front of fire hydrants, had started at $25. The fine was upped to $75 with $100 for the second offense.

If found not keeping a pet on a leash, or licensing it, council set fines for the first to fourth offenses. The original ordinance set the initial fine at $5. Now, violators will pay $100 for the first offense, and $500 for the fourth.

Hoban said copies of all ordinances are available at borough hall.