For decades, fast-food restaurants have had a simple policy — once upon a time it was emblazoned across the door — no shirt, no shoes, no service.

It’s a simple rule, mainly intended on not offending other diners. It’s easy, either you play by the house’s rules or you leave the house.

The same sort of simple rules intended on keeping people behaving appropriately are all around us. Noise ordinances are intended to protect the ears of people who simply don’t want to hear another person’s music blaring at all hours.

The key to all of those sorts of common sense, but required-for-those-who-lack-common-sense laws is enforcement.

Leaders in the City of Vidalia say they’re about to get serious about an issue that plagues cities and towns all over the country — grass sluggards.

Vidalia already has a law that prohibits property owners from allowing grass to grow higher than eight inches within the city limits.

But this year, city leaders say, enforcement will be taken seriously. Owners of property found to be in violation will be sent a warning letter. If no action is taken, the city will send someone to cut the grass — at a hefty price to the property owner.

We applaud Vidalia’s efforts to help solve the problems. Tough enforcement should cut this problem off at the root.