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Are Litter Wardens really effective?

It is still not clear how effective Litter Wardens have been in the executing of their duties. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - A caller to NDP Radio on March 5, 2012 complained about persons still being in the habit of transporting their garbage outside or on top of their vehicles and leaving the garbage on the road if it falls off the vehicle before getting to a dumpster.

Both Minister for Health and Social Development Hon. Ronnie Skelton and Territorial At Large Representative Hon. Archibald Christian agreed that the practice is being continued since they have seen garbage left on the roadway.

“I saw the same litter on the road when I was going home one evening. These things are wrong. All the trucks driving with the open tops, these things are wrong and the police know they are wrong. My friend the “Supercop” stops them and gives them tickets every now and then and they get very angry with him but as a people we need to understand that we only destroying our own country. We are not doing anybody else any harm. We are just destroying the place that we call home that we love and we need to stop,” Hon. Skelton said.

The Health Minister noted too that Litter Wardens were sworn in and given the authority to issue tickets for littering. “I don’t know what the status of it is but I know for some people there are difficulties because some people don’t want to be seen as giving other people tickets. It’s something we have to work on.”

Hon. Christian said the Litter Wardens have been given a responsibility and “we need to just enforce the laws of the country. We have some work to do but help is underway.”

Some 30 Litter Wardens were appointed in January 2011, and the then Minister for Health and Social Development, Dancia Penn QC, had said in the House of Assembly on August 30, 2011 that there were some reduction of bulky waste around the dumpsters, as well as, a reduction in the number of drivers who are seen transporting waste on top of their vehicles.

Hon. Penn had also divulged that most of the wardens have observed that much of the littering seems to take place overnight or in the early hours of the morning. When asked, however, if anyone was prosecuted or fined to date, Hon. Penn had replied in the negative.

“What Litter Wardens have reported to us Mr. Speaker, is that they have been speaking to, and issuing verbal warnings to a significant number of persons,” she had said.

According to the law, persons found guilty of discharging litter from a moving vehicle, transporting waste so that it becomes litter, littering public or private premises, or failing to comply with a litter removal notice will be subjected to a maximum fine of $500 or three months imprisonment on being convicted by a Magistrate.

15 Responses to “Are Litter Wardens really effective?”

  • hi (09/03/2012, 08:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    that is the proplem in in the BVI are always making laws bu don't push them through...... big problem
  • attention (09/03/2012, 08:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i heard some crazy idea that the NDP wants to move the bins..why? what the hick will they replace dem with??
    • bvi (09/03/2012, 17:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Stop listening to hear-say. Unless you read it in a Govt. news release, it is not factual
      • under the bus (09/03/2012, 23:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        government press release..gosh and GIS is so useless??? I check vino when I want to know what is going on in government deman
    • Shaken & Stirred (09/03/2012, 18:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      They can replace them with their mouths!
    • they did so (11/03/2012, 15:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      yes yes the NDP did say that on their radio program i heard it with my two big ears!
  • Quiet Storm (09/03/2012, 08:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just having laws on the book will not solve the problem; they must be enforced. Persons dumping thrash illegally or transporting thrash improperly must be cited. Further, it will take behavioral changes in the population to reduce and preferably stop the littering. The ministry need to embark on an anti-litter campaign. The population must be educated on the benefit and value of not littering, as well as the Consequences of littering. Tourism is one of two mainstays of our economy. Image is an important tool in marketing tourism. A positive experience i s also crucial. When a tourist had a positive experience they go back and brag to family, friends, co-workers....etc. This is good thing but we must and keep our home clean for us, not just for our guests. Virgin Islanders are proud people. Lets show case that pride. By the way, is the litter warden programme effective and paying dividends? Does it need to be revamped?
  • billy b (09/03/2012, 10:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    we allowed too many of these nasty arse people to come in this country to live.they brought their nasty habbits with them
  • my two cents (09/03/2012, 12:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    How can I become a liter warner? Is it a paid job?
    • bvi (09/03/2012, 17:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      It's litter warden. And no, you dont get paid. Most of who were assigned litter wardens are current civil servants and police officers who are already on Govt salary. That is where the real problem is. Civil servants cannot issue tickets to anyone sitting at their comfortable desks and especially if they are not getting paid to do it.
  • Monkey Business (09/03/2012, 13:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It never made sense. Just another socialist proposal by the last government. Let the police and solid waste do their jobs and we would be fine. Give folks at solid waste authority to ticket people, why hire a whole new set with just one task? Poor stupid planning. In addition to that, we have over 200 police and it's been years since we have seen traffic cops regularly especially during peak hours and peak traffic. But the Duke is in town and there is a cop on every corner. When the Duke leaves today, will we see them on the road later ensuring that traffic, especially in the heart of town by the roundabout, moves freely? If we had these guys on the beat at all times it would minimize a lot of accidents as people would be fearful of doing nonsense if they saw the presence of the cops. So my question is where are these cops during 'regular' season? VINO you can do an investigative piece on this please? It is very shameful that one man came here and we put out the red carpet and once his plane takes off, we are left to live like dogs again. it's nonsense.
  • wardens (10/03/2012, 08:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Health minister put a litter warden in freebottom its a pig pen real nasty before the garbage is collected and there is a resterant just around the corner PLZ.....FOR YEARS NOW WE CRYING ON DEF EARS SHOW US UR DIFFRENT FROM THE LAST
  • ausar (10/03/2012, 14:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why don't the government start with fixing up the areas where the bins are stored. Stone walls built in U-shaped. How about newer bins in the area. How about the landscaping around the dumping sites. Not because it's a dump site means there can't be some form of aesthetics to the area. Just having litter wardens and poor dumping areas are just not good. Let's see if the government can improve the whole concept of litter and not just the human aspect of it.
    • Diaspora (10/03/2012, 19:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Ausar. Good points. Making the collection point aesthetically pleasing add value and enhances the surrounding and makes resident proud of their neighborhood. Is the runoff from the leaking containers leeching into the soil and being washed into the sea in drainage runoff?
    • ... (11/03/2012, 09:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      There need to be some form of aesthetics to the area because some people don't get out their vehicles to empty the garbbage and throw their garbaage on other people 's property or outside the bin.


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