BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Bellingham could be closing certain alleys in an effort to deter crime.

The city council voted 6-0 with one abstention on Monday, April 13 to approve an ordinance allowing the city to temporarily close alleyways to the general public.

Bellingham’s public works director now has the power to enforce the closures based on recommendations from the police chief. Public Works would work with police to fence off the alley, clean it up and add security features like additional lighting to keep potential criminals out.

The city estimates that it would cost about $10,000 to install fencing on a single block of alleyway.

But some of that cost is expected to be offset by the city’s savings from not having to continually clean those alleys, which often require the most ongoing attention.

Business owners and utility workers will still have alley access during a scheduled closure.

Anyone who enters a closed alley without permission could be fined up to $1,000 or spend up to 90 days in jail.