New state law increases littering fines

Think twice before you throw trash on the ground in Louisiana, or you will pay double.
Thanks to a new law that went into effect on Aug. 1, fines for littering will now double.
“I think people have become accustomed to just dumping their trash,” Keep Abbeville Beautiful’s Charlene Beckett said. “This will be something that is hopefully a bigger deterrent.”
Prior to this month, fines for simple littering were $75 for the first offense and $500 for any offenses that followed. Those same fines now jump to $150 and $1,000, respectively.
Those found dumping intentionally will take a bigger hit. The state set the old fines at $250 to $1,250. The new scales spikes to $500 up as much as $2,500.
“This is the consequence for doing that,” Beckett said.
A major aspect in the battle against illegal dumping is larger items. Furniture, appliances and other items create unsightly images on the sides of roads, according to Beckett. Those scenarios create the steepest penalties under the new law. Inappropriate disposal of large litter may cost someone up to $10,000 if found in violation, a figure that is double under the prior law.
“This is the only way people are going to change,” Beckett said. “It’s like seat belts. We used to never wear seat belts. Now you will get stopped and they will fine you.
“Now 99 percent of the people wear seat belts.”
As is the case in these situations, enforcement will be the issue. Beckett said groups like KAB and the Abbeville Garden Club try to alert police when littering and dumping occur.
“I wouldn’t want to be dumping somewhere and get caught,” Beckett said.
Part of the bill, authored by Rep. Johnny Berthelot of Gonzales, that led to the creation of the new law calls for the money generated from the fines to help pay down debt on the retirement system for law enforcement agencies.
Beckett said she believes this is a good law all the way around.
“I can tell you that all the groups concerned about litter are pleased,” Beckett said. “The thing that is exciting is that there is now more legal back up.”