EXPANDED LITTERING ENFORCEMENT PILOT

METROPOLITAN POLICE EXPAND LITTERING ENFORCEMENT PILOT PROGRAM

 August 1, 2012, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) began Phase II of the Littering
Enforcement Pilot project by expanding to the Sixth District. Phase I of this pilot began in
the Fourth District on May 1, 2011. Members of the Sixth District will now be able to enforce
laws against littering by writing Notices of Violation (NOVs) for pedestrians observed littering.
Throughout August, MPD will issue warnings to violators as they work with community
partners to educate the public about littering enforcement. Beginning September 1, 2012,
anyone violating the city’s littering law in the MPD’s Sixth District (which covers much of
Ward 7 and a small portion of Ward 8) may be issued an actual NOV or be subject to arrest.
If an officer sees an individual intentionally or carelessly dropping waste material of any
source on public space, in waterways, or on private property not controlled by the individual,
he or she may receive a $75 Notice of Violation (NOV) for littering. Failure to properly respond
by following the instructions on the back of the NOV will result in additional penalties.
Those cited are required to provide an accurate name and address to the issuing officer.
Those who refuse or fail to provide an accurate name and address can be arrested. Upon
conviction, non-cooperative litterers will be fined an additional $100 to $250 by the D.C.
Superior Court.
While the pilot is in effect, MPD will continue citywide enforcement of the prohibition
against disposing, causing, or allowing the disposal of litter from a vehicle on any public or
private property, subject to a $100 traffic ticket.

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