Littering 101 In Prince George -Don't Worry Be Happy

Wednesday, April 28, 2010 03:45 AM

If you travel Foothills Boulevard with any frequency, you will know your comments (and those of the writer) have fallen on deaf ears when it comes to having something done about littering along that and many other stretches of City roads.

Mayor Dan Rogers did stop to say that littering is a problem. The province has strict laws, and if we don’t in this city, why not?

Instead, most every day, you will see inmates from the PGRCC, working their way up and down Foothills. May I say thank God for the inmates and whoever instituted the program on that stretch of roadway which would be a bloody disgrace without them.

But now the rub. You are being asked to pay more for garbage costs. The question then arises, are those increased costs in part for the regular City garbage truck working its way up and down Foothills picking up the rubbish that has fallen from vehicles that show no regard for the Boulevard?

Think about it, that truck and operator cost money and the fact that they have been there most every day recently suggests two things; one the city doesn’t have a plan to deal with the problem and two; those people who don’t secure their garbage really don’t give a damn about the fact that we are paying more for picking up their mess.

There are littering laws, and I am pretty sure there is a law under the motor vehicle act that requires a “load” to be secure. Certainly, the amount of junk all over Foothills would imply some don’t care if that load in the pick up or trailer is tied down properly.

If the provincial laws do not apply to this city, it is as simple as taking the page out the act that deals with littering and pasting it into a city by law, its really not rocket science.

Or the City can continue to opt for the system that is now in place which cries out “If you’re littering, don’t worry, be happy; we are looking after your interest and above all your money”.

I’m Meisner and that’s one man’s opinion.

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Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 03:45 AM in Views by Ben Meisner

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Comments

Posted by: whatintheheck on April 28 2010 6:09 AM

City workers also pick litter along that stretch and also on Westwood from Ferry to Pine Centre along that ugly chain link fence, Domano Blvd and many other locations and parks in this city. They are also seen picking up mattresses and other debris that people dump and or lose from their trucks.
I do not travel along Foothills much, but I do see the garbage in many other sections in Prince George. I noticed it is not only coming from vehicles, but a lot from pedestrians who carelessly toss their cups and chip bags etc without giving another thought. The garbage cans located in town would somehow have to jump out at them before they would be noticed.

Posted by: metalman on April 28 2010 8:41 AM

I would think that any person with a modicum of pride would not allow garbage to fall out of their truck while they are driving down the road. Then again, there are a lot of people who seem to think it is alright to throw their fast food containers out the car window. And the model citizens who dump their old appliances and furniture in the bush.
I despise them too.
metalman.

Posted by: gus on April 28 2010 9:31 AM

I agree littering is a problem in the City and that some of it is due to garbage falling off pick up trucks and the like as they travel on such roads as foothills which have faster speed limits.

The question is, how does one enforce it? There are typically no tags on garbage that identify the owner. We could pay to have the roads patrolled and issue tickets to those seen to litter.

An awareness campaign might reduce some of the inadvertent littering as well but will do very little for the others who simply do not care. Putting up signs warning about $10,000 fines also is a non starter.

Anyone out there with some bright ideas that will solve the problem? Or is this another case of simply complaining and not offering any viable solutions.

Posted by: Loki on April 28 2010 10:47 AM

80:20 rule
80% of the bad stuff is committed by 20% of the population.

It is not that most are unconcerned with securing their load. It is the few unconcerned and inconsiderate that are the culprits.

This is another example of how laws are not the entire answer. There needs to be a cultural shift by the people. This is why smoking is no longer socially acceptable, it is viewed with disdain by the majority and smokers are virtually ostracized.

The same goes with littering or even ensuring that your load does not escape. The colloquial "we" must take the attitude that it is not acceptable and express our discontent with this oblivious behavior.

Posted by: Eagleone on April 28 2010 8:52 PM

Last year I found a huge pile of old school books and such dumped at the trail head to Island Park out Miworth... huge pile of garbage and it all had the same persons name on all the books, homework assignments ect... even bills... its obvious who did it. I called the cops to see if they could do anything about it and they said they don't do that kind of stuff... anyone could have dumped it they say, so they don't enforce littering laws. I found another pile of trash at the trail head of another trail I hike, and same thing... person didn't care if they would be identified, police didn't care about the littering.

So I made my own phone calls... couldn't find their names in 411, but got a relatives name and was able to get them on the line and confirm the relation and then was able to pass on the message that the mess needed to be cleaned up... hoping that shame still stands for something, but not likely with those types.

What else can a person do when government wants no part in enforcing littering laws in this city? I blame the city for not requiring the RCMP and by-law enforcement to follow up on acts of littering.. and I also blame the city for removing most of the garbage cans that use to be found all over the city in all the parks and such.. and I also blame the city for charging a fee to dump at the transfer stations thereby giving the incentive for the poor to litter.

Foothills is atrocious at times.