SAN FERNANDO : Police Begin Effort to Curb Scavenging
San Fernando police officers are getting tough on scavengers caught stealing recyclable materials from curbside bins for profit.
“We’ve seen a big increase in complaints about scavengers from the community in the last few months,” Chief Dominick Rivetti said. “It appears there are some people getting into a fairly large business of scavenging through the rubbish and the bins to make money. And there are also homeless people pushing carts who are trying to eke out a living.”
Police are cracking down on both types of offenders, Rivetti said.
“We’re basically doing very little advising or warnings anymore,” he said. “We’re moving to confiscate their collectibles and either issue a citation or make an arrest.”
Rivetti said a first-time scavenging offense is considered a misdemeanor and carries a fine of $50 to $150. Repeat offenders are subject to increased fines. As part of the increased enforcement effort, police have begun photographing violators who cannot produce identification so officials can track potential repeat offenders.
The department’s more aggressive position toward scavengers follows the Los Angeles City Council’s decision in March to allocate extra funds to the Foothill and North Hollywood police divisions to collar scavengers.
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