NEWPORT BEACH : Trash Scavenging Outlawed by City
The City Council has given preliminary approval to an ordinance making it illegal to rummage through trash that residents place in front of their homes.
Sgt. Andy Gonis, the Police Department spokesman, said the department has received an “inordinate” number of calls over the last couple of months from residents complaining that scavengers in search of recyclable materials were prowling around outside their homes and leaving a mess.
Gonis said that in some cases, scavengers were even entering private garages. He said he was not sure if the increase in incidents was related to the city’s new recycling program, which started last month.
Under the new ordinance, officers will have the discretion to issue violators a verbal warning or citation that carries a maximum fine of $75.
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