Recycling Scavengers Steal From Taxpayers

* Two thoughts in response to Janet Bernson’s June 11 column (Valley Commentary) about recycling scavengers:

1. The people who pick up recyclables that have been put out for city collection (regardless of whether what they are taking is in a city bin or not) are defrauding Los Angeles of income needed to make the recycling program work. Anyone who takes from the city takes from me and you--taxpayers all. Each dollar that goes into the night creeper’s pocket will cost the citizen of Los Angeles, either in higher taxes or in fewer services.

2. When I go to the trouble of separating my recyclables and schlepping bags of paper and that handy yellow bin out to the curb, I do it because I believe in recycling as public policy. I do not do it to benefit some early morning sneak who is not, as Bernson seems to think, “recycling” but is merely taking advantage of a quick way to make some bucks.

KATHARINA SMITH

Canoga Park