Under a change in state law sought out by the Keep Lexington Beautiful Commission, a group which in 2012 organized about 80 spring clean-ups involving 2,000 people, last year, officers with Lexington’s Division of Police can now issue a civil littering citation. A civil citation carries penalties like criminal citations, but cases are handled administratively, not adding to the docket of district court.
“The state criminal statute only provided officers the ability to cite under very specific circumstances,” Police Lt. Mark Brand said. “Now, we have a broad range of littering activities that we can cite for.
Brand was speaking at a press conference Wednesday with members of the Keep Lexington Beautiful Commission, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, the Division of Police, Councilmember Peggy Henson and Mayor Jim Gray.
“However,” Brand continued, “I want to emphasize, our goal is not to write tickets, but to provide a clean and safe environment for Lexington citizens and visitors to enjoy.”
The press conference was meant to unveil other trash prevention measures, including a program where citizens can report when litter is thrown from vehicles through an online form at www.lexingtonky.gov/litterreport. The information will be forwarded to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, which will send a letter to the vehicle’s owner. Citizens can also report a variety of issues, including littering, through a free App for iPhones (search Lexington311 at the Apple App Store).
“We at the Office of Sheriff are always looking for ways to strengthen our partnerships and this is one more way to do so,” said Sheriff Kathy Witt. “I am pleased that members of the community will have an avenue for reporting those that they see litter."
In addition to citizen involvement, city divisions are working together to attack litter, Gray said.
“A cooperative effort among the divisions of Community Corrections, Streets and Roads and Waste Management will provide supervised inmates to help remove litter from city streets,” he said.
However, Gray said the first line of defense for a cleaner city was to “pick it up, Lexington ... Bend over and pick up a piece of litter today. Keep it off our sidewalks and streets and out of our streams.”
Patricia Knight, the Keep Lexington Beautiful chair, said the volunteer group is planning and coordinating spring Great American Cleanup events. The dozens of events last year included opportunities for citizens, schools, churches, businesses and other organizations to undertake litter cleanup projects in neighborhoods, on city streets, in parks and natural areas, and around schools.
“With spring approaching, now is the time for all of us to work together to restore Lexington’s picturesque landscape,” she said. “We are blessed with an abundance of natural beauty, but unfortunately that beauty is damaged by unsightly litter.”
For more information on how you or your organization can become involved with the Great American Cleanup, Keep Lexington Beautiful or other issues related to littering call Lexcall at 311 or (859) 425-2255, or visit www.keeplexingtonbeautiful.com.