In The News

Media Releases
 

AWARENESS OF ZERO TOLERANCE FOR LITTER ANNOUNCED TODAY

Law Enforcement Officers Gather to Kickoff Anti-Litter Weekend

Columbia, SC – Statewide law enforcement representatives gathered today on the State House steps to announce the 2009 Awareness of Zero Tolerance for Litter Campaign, a three-day enforcement blitz targeting litterbugs. 

Linda Shadel, Director of Operations for PalmettoPride, welcomed the officers and introduced the guest speakers.  Senator David L. Thomas, Founder of PalmettoPride, thanked the officers for dedicating their efforts to addressing the issue of littering. 

Ryan Lesesne, president of SC Litter Control Association, Corporal Rob Williams of the State Transport Police, and Gene Kodama of the SC Forestry Commission all spoke on the effects of litter on our communities, interstates and environmental landscapes.

Awareness of Zero Tolerance for Litter will take place this weekend, April 17 – 19, 2009. 

Law enforcement officers will target littering, unsecured loads and illegal dumping.  Officers will also educate citizens on the SC litter laws.

South Carolina law enforcement has been passionate about litter for years.  Using the Broken Windows Theory of law enforcement, the officers place great emphasis on how litter, along with other community crimes such as vandalism and graffiti, are considered indicators of higher crime rates and community disorder. 

Unsecured loads are the number one source of litter on our roadways.  Litter is not just an eyesore.  It is dangerous to drivers and pedestrians.  PalmettoPride works with enforcement officers, educators, government agencies and community improvement organizations to educate the state on the effects of litter. 

For more information on Awareness of Zero Tolerance for Litter or to find out about litter control efforts in your community, please contact Sarah Robinson at 803-758-6034 or log onto www.palmettopride.org.

SOUTH CAROLINA LITTER CONTROL ASSOCIATION (SCLCA) was organized in 1987 to promote litter enforcement, to protect the environment and to heighten public awareness of the litter problems.  In partnership with SCLCA, PalmettoPride works to engage law enforcement officers in enforcing South Carolina's litter laws and spreading awareness of the fines associated with these laws. 

PalmettoPride is committed to the eradication of litter and the promotion of beautification in South Carolina. We will accomplish this by leading the effort to motivate and organize groups to clean up existing debris. Our focus is on four essential areas of concern: education, enforcement, awareness and pickup resulting in behavioral change.

#  #  #