[Chat] Dealing with illegal trash disposal

Tue Sep 16 23:23:16 EDT 2003

-----Forwarded Message-----

From: John Spurrier <jfspur at hotmail.com>
To: Discussion at charlesvillage.info
Subject: RE: [Discussion] A Practical Problem
Date: 16 Sep 2003 18:35:46 +0000

Colleen,

Residents at the end of the block have to deal with the issue of dumping 
much more frequently than those living in the middle of the block.

Many apartment dwellers do not have access to the back of the
buildings where they live. In order to dispose of household garbage
they must walk around the block to the alley.  Often times people find
it much more convenient to dispose of the bags in the first trash can
they come across rather than to walk all the way down the
alley. Sometimes it's laziness other times it is concern for their
safety.

Houses at the end of the block are also a favorite target for those dumping 
illegally from vehicles.

There are a couple things you can do to cut down on the problem. I would 
suggest opening the bags that are dumped in your can. Usually people too 
lazy to properly dispose of the trash will be too lazy to recycle, thus 
leaving mail and other items (pizza boxes with phone numbers, etc.) which 
can be used to identify the dumpers. I have on numerous occasions called the 
dumpers telling them that what they are doing is illegal and that they may 
be subject to fines. You may even wish to return the trash to the dumper's 
doorstep with a note attached.

Another possibility is to post an 8 1/2" x 11" notice (laminated if 
necessary) lettting people know that if they don't live at the address and 
they leave their trash there, they are dumping and may be subject to fines.

My experience has been that a small number of people on each block dispose 
of their trash improperly several times a week. Once identified they can 
often be shamed into compliance. Feel free to call me 410-433-7800 (w) or 
410-243-1827 (home) for a few more suggestions.

John

John Spurrier
Your LIVE BALTIMORE Preferred Realtor
(410) 433-7800

----Original Message Follows----
From: "Sarah Andrew Wilson" <sarah at phloot.com>
Reply-To: Charles Village Discussion List <Discussion at charlesvillage.info>
To: "'Charles Village Discussion List'" <Discussion at charlesvillage.info>
Subject: RE: [Discussion] A Practical Problem
Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2003 13:45:45 -0400

Colleen, that must be frustrating!  Can you move your garbage can inside
your gate, or inside your garage where neighbors can't get to it?  I
also live near the end of our alley, and if we don't retrieve our
garbage can after the garbage trucks come through, our neighbors TAKE
our can...

-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion-bounces at charlesvillage.info
[mailto:Discussion-bounces at charlesvillage.info] On Behalf Of Colleen
Donnelly
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2003 1:41 PM
To: discussion at charlesvillage.info
Subject: [Discussion] A Practical Problem

Hello, Neighbors.

I live on a corner in Charles Village and am plagued
by a problem I hope someone can help me solve.  I
think the correct term for it is "illegal dumping".
The convenience of my garbage can location at the end
of the alley seems too tempting for many of my
neighbors, who like to deposit their trash there.  I
wouldn't mind, except that most times this garbage is
not double-bagged, and usually ends up scattered all
over my end of the alley, and has even creeped out in
front of my garage.  Arg!  I don yellow gloves and
clean up, depositing the mess into my own heavy-duty
garbage bags in time for pick-up, but that's getting
old.  If I don't, however, I end up with rats in my
garage... yuck!  What's a resident to do?  Is this
*illegal*, or simply rude?  I've politely mentioned
the transgression to neighbors who I witness leaving
trash there, and have found copious evidence (mail) of
certain others who have decided it's too far to walk
back to their own garbage cans, but what next?

If you live on a corner here and have experienced the
same problem, what have *you* done to correct it?  Can
these transgressors be fined?  If so, what process
must be followed?  Who do I call?  What else works?

Thanks for your input.

Colleen Donnelly
2800 St. Paul Street

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software
http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com

_______________________________________________
Discussion mailing list
Discussion at charlesvillage.info
http://charlesvillage.info/mailman/listinfo/discussion_charlesvillage.in
fo

_______________________________________________
Discussion mailing list
Discussion at charlesvillage.info
http://charlesvillage.info/mailman/listinfo/discussion_charlesvillage.info

_________________________________________________________________
Compare Cable, DSL or Satellite plans: As low as $29.95.  
https://broadband.msn.com

_______________________________________________
Discussion mailing list
Discussion at charlesvillage.info
http://charlesvillage.info/mailman/listinfo/discussion_charlesvillage.info