Greater Rome Times

    ATLANTA – Expanding the initial phase of the statewide anti-litter campaign, Litter. It Costs You, Governor Sonny Perdue announced the schedule for four law enforcement training workshops. The workshops are designed to provide law enforcement officials with the tools and training needed to punish litter offenders. The four workshops will be held January 31 in Albany ; February 1 in Statesboro; February 28 in Rome ; and March 7 in Athens . 

   “Put in the simplest terms, litter is a crime. Helping law enforcement officials put offenders in their place sends a clear message that we take this problem very seriously,” said Governor Perdue. “Enforcement is one of the important ‘three Es’ needed to eliminate litter across Georgia , along with education and eradication. I invite all our law enforcement personnel to attend one of these workshops to continue the fight against litter.”

            Attendees at each workshop will hear from local and state officials about the new litter abatement law, case studies featuring local-level initiatives, the statewide Litter. It Costs You campaign and the tools available to help them enforce the new provisions.

            In 2006, the Georgia General Assembly passed the Comprehensive Litter Prevention and Abatement Act. The Act improves the ability of law enforcement to punish litter offenders; clarifies complicated statutes related to litter; and stresses personal responsibility as a guiding principle. Provisions of the act include

·        Anyone caught littering can be ordered to pay a fine of as much as $1,000; offenders can also be ordered to clean up litter in the community

·        Drivers are held responsible for litter leaving a vehicle

·        Georgia ’s litter laws can be enforced on both public and private property.

            The goal of the half-day workshops is to provide the law enforcement community with practical tools and examples to assist in local efforts to enforce litter laws. Studies show that enforcement plays an important role in stopping litter. Litter is identified as a major indicator of neighborhood decline. It creates an impression that no one cares within the community, which results in more littering, vandalism and can escalate to more serious crimes. 

            For more information about the workshops, including registration, please visit litteritcostsyou.org.

About Litter. It Costs You.

The State of Georgia launched the Litter. It Costs You campaign in August 2006. An integrated and comprehensive approach to stopping litter, the campaign encompasses education, eradication and enforcement. The campaign leverages the efforts of state agencies, city and county governments, and volunteer organizations to engage the public and effect change. Resources include an interactive and comprehensive Web site, community challenges for adults and youth, an online toolkit and an education component to reach children. For more information, please visit litteritcostsyou.org.