OPD Introduces 2019 Anti-Littering Campaign
Don’t litter! That is the message that the Oxford Police Department will be sending during its anti-littering campaign launching March 6, 2019.
The new campaign is focused on spreading awareness about what Oxford should know about littering. OPD wants to remind residents what littering is – the discarding of any solid waste upon property for the purpose of disposal.
When any litter is thrown or discarded from a motor vehicle, or is blown out of unsecured pickup truck beds, the operator of the motor vehicle or pickup truck is in violation and can be held legally responsible. The fines for littering start at $250 on the highways as well as a minimum of $500 in Oxford city limits.
The main issue the campaign is confronting is unsecured truck loads.
OPD wants citizens to be aware that both private and commercial drivers are responsible for anything that is blown from the uncovered bed of their pickup truck. This is a leading cause in the accumulating trash in Oxford.
According to Sgt. Donovan Lyons, the City of Oxford has picked up over 12,000 pounds of litter in the past six months. He estimated that Oxford cleans up 12-24,000 lb. of trash every year.
Lyons also encourages citizens to pick up litter when they see it, regardless of who put it there.
“The city can’t be solely responsible for cleaning it up,” Lyons said. “I’ve seen so many people walk over trash when it’s so easy just to pick up the glass bottle and throw it away.”
There will also be increased details for litter pick up so please pay attention and drive carefully when you see these taking place on city roads or highway.
