"The Litter Ladies were here!" sign seen next to litter.
This scenario is actually pretty funny and pathetic at the same time.
This sign is illegal according to Mobile Municipal Litter Code Section 25-47 which bans placement of unauthorized signs on City Right-of-Way. Only permitted special event direction signs are allowed. This is definitely not an event sign nor does it give directions. Strike One.
Wind from passing trucks or a strong thunderstorm can easily blow these type signs off their flimsy wire base where they can end up in storm water ditches. Then they can get caught against inlet grates blocking rain water flow leading to excessive flooding. Strike Two.
This sign leaves me wondering if the Litter Ladies were the ones who threw down paper plate and then advertised their littering deed with a sign. Looks like a case of rich high class neighborhood litter tagging to me. Strike Three.
"Do Not Litter" (printed on the reverse side) signs only entice misfits to litter around the sign so the Litter Ladies are actually encouraging littering. Strike Four.
The intention of the Litter Ladies may be good but their illegal execution contributes to the litter problem instead of helping it. But, some folks love to bask in the glory of fame as their toot their whistle about their good deeds through ignorant media outlets.
http://www.wkrg.com/story/28956744/whats-working-litter-ladies
Leave it to WKRG to post a story about Ladies who violate Mobile's Municipal Litter Code as something that is working to solve the litter problem in Mobile. That is funny. Shame on WKRG.
Littering is not going to stop through education, by signs, or by do-gooders who pick it up. Litter however, can be significantly slowed down if there is a real deterrent. A deterrent would be a real high probability of getting caught and a tough sentence.
I suggest the "Litter Ladies" buy some video cameras, capture misfits littering on video, and take the video to the police. The police will then have irrefutable evidence to make some littering asshole's bank account decrease by about $650.
If there is a conviction, the ladies should get a reward of $200 taken from the $650. If the average person can buy a video camera and start earning $200 per conviction, now there is incentive to catch the littering criminals. That is deterrence at its best. Give the power to the people to stop littering.
The judge can then add on 160 hours of community service to the criminal's sentence - all to be spent picking up litter with Keep Mobile Beautiful. Let the littering criminals clean up after the littering criminals.