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Littering: Stiffer penalties are necessary

A bill advancing through the West Virginia House of Representatives would create harsher penalties for litterers; and it is an important step for a couple of reasons.

First, too many Mountain State residents still have no qualms about committing the criminal misdemeanor of tossing their trash out car windows — cigarette butts blanket the edges of some intersections to a nauseating degree — or dumping their old appliances over a hillside. Under the bill making its way through Charleston, the penalties for doing so would now range from $100 to $2,500 for dumping less than 100 pounds of refuse on some else’s property; and can include up to 100 hours of community service.

For the big stuff, the highest possible fine would now be capped at $10,000 for dumping more than 500 pounds; but that fine is now mandatory.

Perhaps stiffer penalties would do more to discourage such behavior.

Second, should the increased punishments result in cleaner roadsides and hollows, we will all be able to take a little more pride in the appearance of our beautiful state — and it will be even more appealing to the visitors we hope to attract.

There is a catch, however. The penalties could be $100,000 and a year in prison … it will not matter if enforcement does not follow the changes.

Law enforcement officers certainly have enough for which to keep their eyes open, but should this bill become law, officers should be given the tools and incentive to give it teeth.

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