State police supports anti-litter campaign

Keep Louisiana Beautiful
co-sponsors upcoming campaign

By Anne Lautzenheiser
St. Tammany News
Published on Friday, April 17, 2009 8:02 AM CDT

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The state highways are not the only place to catch litterbugs this weekend.

The Louisiana State Police, Troop L, will team up with the Department of Wildlife & Fisheries for the fifth annual “Zero Tolerance for Litter” weekend, today through Sunday. Law enforcement officials will be on the lookout for anyone throwing trash from a vehicle or a watercraft, and the penalties are steep.

Fines can range from $50 to $5,000. Those who litter can also expect to perform anywhere from four to 100 hours of community service, suspension of their driver’s license for up to one year and possible jail time of up to 30 days.

“We want people to know this is an ongoing relationship, and officers will be out on the highways and the water looking for people throwing trash,” said Troop L spokesman Louis Calato. Officials will also be watching out for uncovered loads of trash and illegal dumping.

Keep Louisiana Beautiful also sponsors the campaign, and points out that litter costs state taxpayers more than $15 million annually. Litter and harm fish breeding grounds and contribute to flooding by blocking ditches and storm drains.

For more information go to www.keeplouisianabeautiful.org.

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