Friday, April 22, 2011

MPD's Fourth District institutes litter enforcement pilot project

Litter is a problem in the Fourth District (as it is in many other parts of the city). The amount of trash that blows into my yard from the street is mind-boggling. It makes me want to contact MPD to ask an officer to patrol my block and ticket the culprit(s) under this pilot initiative. From a press release:

Littering Enforcement Pilot Project

On May 1, 2011, MPD will launch a littering enforcement pilot in the Fourth Police District. Throughout May, MPD will issue warnings to violators as we work with community partners to educate the public about littering enforcement. Beginning June 1, 2011, anyone violating the city’s littering law in the Fourth District may be issued an actual ticket or subject to arrest. (D.C. Official Code § 8.801 et seq.)

If an officer sees you intentionally or carelessly dropping rubbish, waste matter, refuse, garbage, trash, debris, dead animals or other discarded materials of every kind and description, on public space, in waterways, or on private property not under your control, you may receive a $75 ticket for littering. Failure to properly respond by following the instructions on the back of the ticket will result in additional penalties.

If you are issued a ticket for littering, you are required to provide an accurate name and address to the officer. If you refuse or fail to provide an accurate name and address, you can be arrested. Upon conviction, you will be fined an additional $100 to $250 by the Superior Court.

While the pilot is in effect, MPD will continue citywide enforcement of the prohibition against disposing, causing, or allowing the disposal of litter from a vehicle upon any public or private property. Litter includes all rubbish, waste matter, refuse, garbage, trash, debris, dead animals, or other discarded materials of every kind and description. If you litter while driving, you may be issued a $100 traffic ticket for littering from a vehicle.

If you have questions, please contact Sergeant Keith DuBeau at 202.345.1007.

2 comments:

  1. Finally.......I live on Jefferson St and all the trash from Kennedy St blows my direction. It's amazing to me the amount of trash that accumulates on my lawn. People have no decency.

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  2. Ooh, interesting. I know a LOT of people who are going to be ticketed--if they're caught. I'd like to know who doesn't have a job, but can afford to stand outside and drink Patron all day. Yes, we find Patron boxes most often.

    Anonymous, we live between Jefferson and Kennedy, and I can assure you the wind isn't the main culprit. haha

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