State Senator Mario Scavello (R – Monroe) wants to deter littering with increased fines for offenders.
He believes that people may think twice about dumping trash and debris, if the penalty hurts them more in the pocketbook, should they be caught.
It’s a welcome proposal of new legislation that still has to be passed.
West Easton has been subjected to prior incidents of illegal dumping along Glendon Hill Road with construction debris, tires, and other garbage thrown down the embankment.
In 2016, Council authorized the purchase of two field cameras and signs alerting drivers to their existence, which has significantly curtailed the illegal dumping on that road. One incident couldn’t be prosecuted because the dumper positioned their vehicle directly under a camera, out of frame.
Two more cameras were approved for installation last month that will provide cross coverage of cameras. Each camera can take approximately 10,000 high resolution pictures (day or night) before the memory card must be deleted of images. A picture is taken by means of a motion sensor. The pictures are also date and time stamped.
Sen Scavello’s proposed legislation would increase fines based on weight and volume up to $1,000 for a first offense and $2,000 for following violations, depending on weight and volume of trash dumped. If the first violation of littering is less than five pounds, the fine of $50 to $300 would not change, but following violations would result in fines from $100 to $500.
A more painful cost to trash dumpers would be felt by those who get rid of large amounts of debris.
Trash weighing 5 pounds, but less than 100 pounds, would increase a fine from $300 to $500 for the first violation. Following violations would have the penalty increase from $500 to $1,000.
More than 100 pounds (or over 25 cubic feet), the first offense would be $500 to $1,000. An increase of $1,000 to $2,000 would be felt for following offenses.
Disclaimer: On January 4, 2016, the owner of WestEastonPA.com began serving on the West Easton Council following an election. Postings and all content found on this website are the opinions of Matthew A. Dees and may not necessarily represent the opinion of the governing body for The Borough of West Easton.
