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Fitial: Enforce anti-littering laws
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Posted on Jun 06 2000
Alarmed by the growing problem of littering on the islands, House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial has prodded the police to enforce regulations that prohibit residents to throw away their garbage just about anywhere.
He cited for instance that public beaches have become dirty as heaps of trash are left behind by some people, especially during weekends.
This is particularly damaging to the tourism industry, a vital part of the CNMI economy, and could discourage visitors to come to the islands because of this environmental eyesore.
While there are penalties for littering, the police have been negligent in enforcing these rules, said Mr. Fitial, noting that it has been months, if not years, since a citation was given to any violator.
“In an effort to help keep the islands clean and to ensure that our visitors return, I am asking your cooperation in seeing that this important law is enforced properly,” he said in a letter to Public Safety Commissioner Charles W. Ingram.
“I ask that you specifically instruct your officers to vigorously step up enforcement of this law, and start issuing citations for people who take our environment for granted,” added the Speaker.
He stressed that by working together in addressing the problem, the government can protect two of our most valuable resources — the tourism industry and the environment.
