With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
LA City Council Raises Fines For Littering PPE
Two disposable latex gloves left in a Target shopping cart in Eagle Rock. A new motion passed by the L.A. City Council raises the fine for littering this kind of PPE in public spaces. (Caroline Champlin/LAist)
()
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our nonprofit public service journalism: Donate now.
The Los Angeles City Council passed a motion this week to raise the fine for littering personal protective equipment trash, like masks and gloves.
The penalty for littering everyday garbage in L.A. is $200, according to Councilman Bob Blumenfield's office, but this measure would increase the fine to $250, the maximum amount for an infraction in the city. Blumenfield introduced the motion.
"Right now, you can go to any supermarket and if you stand out there for 15 minutes, I guarantee you're going to see someone come out, take their masks or gloves off, and throw them on the ground," Blumenfield told LAist.
Support for LAist comes from
A child-sized mask left in the parking lot of Eagle Rock Plaza. (Caroline Champlin/LAist)
()
We took the councilmember up on that challenge.
At the parking lot of Eagle Rock Plaza in Northeast L.A., we didn't see anyone actively litter, but discarded PPE wasn't hard to find. Disposable blue latex gloves languished in the child seat of a Target shopping cart. A used child-sized mask featuring Disney characters baked on the asphalt.
Ruth Lee was stocking up on camping supplies at the shopping center and noticed the PPE trash.
"I usually like to pick up trash and throw trash out, but I don't want to touch other people's masks and gloves. I think it's unsanitary," Lee said.
While the PPE debris has made Lee less willing to clean up after others, she isn't optimistic about the new fines changing anyone's behavior as far as not littering -- or even the possibility that more people will be caught in the act of littering.
"I've never seen anyone dispose of it personally," Lee said. "People litter. I don't know how you're going to catch this."
Support for LAist comes from
Blumenfield said he understands that concern, and doesn't expect most people littering to be caught in the act.
"There's no way, with everything going on in Los Angeles, that there's going to be this 'PPE litter police' out there watching everybody," Blumenfield said. "But people need to know that there is a consequence."
WE ARE HERE TO HELP: HOW TO (NEW) LA
- What's Open And What Are The Rules?
- Is It Safe Out There?
- What To Do If You Have It, Might Have It, Or Were Possibly Exposed To The Coronavirus
- An FBI Hostage Negotiator Tells Us How To Talk To People About Masks
- Need Some Mental Health Support? Start Here
- The 5 Most Important Things To Know About The Outside World
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases. -
Distrito Catorce’s Guillermo Piñon says the team no longer reflects his community. A new mural will honor local leaders instead. -
The program is for customers in communities that may not be able to afford turf removal or water-saving upgrades.
Best of LAist