North Irwin council is getting tough on abandoned cars and speeders, making the borough's only police officer a busy man.

If that's not enough, council is considering an ordinance that would make yard maintenance mandatory and prohibit junk and undrivable vehicles from being stored on private property.

Enforcement of violations and catching speeding drivers is the responsibility of Officer Pete Henderson, who works 32 hours a week. He also is a part-time policeman in Penn Borough, near Jeannette.

North Irwin's version of Pittsburgh's "Redd Up" campaign is targeting vehicles parked on borough streets that are not registered or inspected. Officer Henderson has been placing notices on such vehicles, which must be removed within seven days or be towed at the owners' expense.

The proposed ordinance would be designed to encourage yard maintenance in addition to the removal from private property of any junk or vehicles that are not registered or inspected or are not drivable.

Property owners would be notified of ordinance violations by registered mail.

Fines could be imposed and vehicles not conforming to criteria of the ordinance would be towed at the owners' expense.

To combat speeders, the borough has bought a speed timing chronometer. White timing lines have been painted on some streets within the half-mile-square municipality.