The first arrest in the “Stow It, Don’t Throw It” was made by St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz in a June 18 news release.
George Harris Sr., 61, of the 1400 block of Veazie Road, Palmetto, is charged with gross littering, a misdemeanor.
Guidroz stated that on May 16 the St. Landry Parish Solid Waste Commission reported a gross dumping incident in a drainage canal near the landfill.
“Video footage of the vehicle involved led to the identification of George Harris as the perpetrator. Harris illegally dumped an appliance and a home water heater near the landfill, instead of bringing the items to the landfill to be properly disposed of,” Guidroz stated.
“This year, through the St. Landry Crime Stoppers Board, the anti-litter campaign, ‘Stow It, Don’t Throw It’ was initiated in our parish. With the resources and the assistance of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, we will combine our efforts to seek out violators, change the public’s attitudes on the littering problem and together bring about change. Littering has become too accepted, too prevalent and damaging to our environment. Especially with the enormous amount of rainfall recently, the litter clogs drainage and causes damage to property through flooding,” he stated.
Guidroz added, “We encourage anyone witnessing littering to submit an anonymous tip through St. Landry Crime Stoppers, or call the LDWF Anti-Litter Hotline: 855-LA-LITTER.”
