The RCIPS has joined forces with the Department of Environmental Health to highlight the dangers associated with dumping illegal waste.
The move comes after the agencies carried out a number of operations to clean up some areas that were being abused.
Over the last few weeks, Neighbourhood Police Officers have noticed an increase in the amount of garbage being dumped. Waste has so far been removed from a number of areas including Rock Hole, School House Road and Bodden Road where residents had complained of bad smells and rotting garbage.
‘The mess and subsequent neighbourhood decline resulting from illegal dumping of waste leads to an increase in the fear of crime and a reduction in the quality of life for those who are affected, Head of Neighbourhood Policing, Inspector Tricia Bodden said in a press release.
‘In addition, illegal dumping is unsightly and promotes the spread of flies, which are known to spread diseases.
‘We are committed to making the Cayman Islands as safe as they can be and this includes making sure people are happy in their surroundings. We will continue to work with the Department of Environmental Health to tackle this issue but residents really need to do their bit by being more responsible and considerate.’
Residents are also urged to report anyone seen blatantly flouting the law and dumping waste in their community to the police or the DEH.
‘It’s vital that information about people who are conducting illegal dumping is reported to the DEH so that action can be taken to address the problem,’ said Public Education and Promotions Officer Tania Johnson.
‘Once the public can identify persons who are illegally dumping garbage in their area, DEH district officers can respond to get the guilty party to clean it up and/or prosecute them.’
The public can contact the DEH to make a complaint at 949-6696 or the police on 949-4222.
FYI
Under the 1997 Litter Law, it is an offence to drop litter and dump waste punishable with a $500 fine or a prison term of up to six months.
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