Deter littering

Friday, Oct. 30, 2009

In regards to your story on "Keeping roadways clean is a full time job" on Oct. 23, it is a shame that Calvert residents create so much trash on the side of our roadways.

Considering the costs of cleanup throughout Maryland and the difficulty of law enforcement catching litterers in the act, it is time for some action from our legislature. Although our state budget is tight, we can enact a simple and low-cost option.

Maryland should create a toll-free hotline to report litterers. Once a license plate and description are received, the Maryland State Police could send an automated warning letter to the vehicle's registered owner. Hopefully, when a warning letter is received it will remind the driver not to litter.

Although it is just a letter, a simple gesture may actually result in someone stopping their littering activities.

Depending on the statistics and number of repeat offenders, informed decisions can be made on what to do in the future, to include a personal visit by a state trooper after five separate reported incidents where a reporting party provides their contact information.

It's just a thought, but we can make new laws by taking action and asking our elected officials to take action instead of wasting time, money and our natural resources on litter.

George Durgin, Prince Frederick