Litterbugs beware! Legislation aims to increase enforcement for tossing trash in S.C.
COLUMBIA — It might seem counterintuitive, but South Carolina legislators hope lowering fines for litterbugs could lead to more trash coming off the state's roadsides and waterways.
Legislation that advanced Wednesday to a House committee would reduce penalties for tossing light trash, such as cigarette butts and bottles, from $200 to between $25 and $100.
Now, a $200 littering fine becomes a $465 hit to the wallet with mandatory fees. That's costly enough that many officers aren't comfortable writing a ticket for a tossed cigarette that could prevent someone from paying bills or buying groceries, said Jamie Nelson, director of Spartanburg County Environmental Enforcement.
While his six litter officers are busy, investigating 2,000 complaints and issuing 400 fines last year, Nelson said other officers across the state are hesitant: "Why in the world are we not enforcing litter laws? The fines are too high."
Read more: https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/litterbugs-beware-legislation-aims-to-increase-enforcement-for-tossing-trash/article_43db7038-0125-11e8-8355-9b58f64a2a3d.html