MADISON, Wis. -- The ice on sidewalks is so hard, not even dynamite could make a dent.

Yet city inspectors are out ticketing homeowners with icy sidewalks, reports News 3's Toni Morrissey. But there is an easy way out of a ticket. There is free sand/salt at several locations in Madison. ( Locations )

If you don't take care of the ice on your sidewalks, you could get a ticket from Scott Kerr, a city inspector. He's out taking pictures and tagging homes with icy walks.

Single-digit temperatures make the ice hard as a rock, so salt doesn't cut it. If you've made an attempt, you won't find a pink ticket on your door, city officials said.

"We're looking at this point for people to basically sand their sidewalks -- salt at this point is pretty ineffective," said George Hank.

You could also try ashes or kitty litter.

If you don't do anything, and the inspectors come to your street, you will probably get a $65 ticket. You'll get fined an extra $40 if the city is forced to send a crew to salt & sand for you.

"The crew comes out and they take a photograph before they start work," Kerr said. "Then they take another picture after they're finished. The homeowner is billed for time and materials."

If you get a tag on your door knob, you've got until noon the next day to put pedestrians on better footing.

Free Sand-Salt/Help For Seniors
Or call (608) 246-4532 (east side), (608) 266-4681 (west side)