(Toledo, OH) It's now illegal to board up properties with plywood in Ohio-- and Toledo firefighters are not happy.
Ohio became the first state in the country with a plywood ban to fight blight when the law took effect this past week. Now state law requires the use of clear boarding, using see-through polycarbonate windows and doors to secure vacant properties.
Clear boarding supporters claim plywood is susceptible to break-ins and vandalism, lowers surrounding property values and blocks visibility for first responders. But a Toledo fire spokesman says plywood is easy to remove when fighting a fire. Clearboard is not.
A plywood industry trade group claims the new law increases costs for property owners. The plexiglass clear board is made by a company in Cleveland.