asane

Columbus Council Increases Penalties for Littering, Illegal Littering

Online Niel November 19, 2024

Columbus increased the criminal penalty for littering, illegal dumping, and other littering behavior.

The City Council voted unanimously Monday to update the city’s garbage collection code, including increasing the penalty for violations from a third-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree misdemeanor. A first-degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and with a fine of up to $1,000.

Councilman Christopher L. Wyche, who sponsored the legislation, said Columbus residents care about the appearance of their neighborhoods, and trash is a big problem in some areas. Every year, the city collects thousands of tons of garbage.

“I think I was at work for two or three hours before someone was talking about me online about littering, saying the city needs to do something about it,” Wyche said.

Violating any part of the City Code regarding trash and litter is a misdemeanor, meaning a resident could be charged for placing trash cans at the curb too early or leaving them out too late, or for that he threw the trash cans.

Wyche said this is another tool for the city to enforce the code and it is up to the City Attorney’s Office whether to prosecute a crime.

“You need that stick to change behaviour. We’re not likely to see people who leave their bin outside being prosecuted,” Wyche said.

The code change also gives the director of the Columbus Department of Public Service the freedom to expand composting and recycling in the city. It also establishes a denial appeals board to hear appeals from people who receive a notice of violation.

[email protected]

@LairdWrites