RINGGOLD, Ga. — “Tarp it or ticket,” Catoosa County sheriff’s deputies warned truck drivers visiting the county landfill Saturday and Monday.
“Basically, all we want to do is make people aware and be more careful,” said Deputy Bobby Persinger, manning the post in front of the dump Monday morning.
By 10 a.m., about 20 vehicles had come by carrying loads. Most — but not all — who came by during the two-day enforcement initiative were within the regulations.
“There’s been a lot of them that have come in here that are just ridiculous,” the deputy said, mentioning one or two that had unsecured trash stacked above the roof of the cab.
County Manager Mike Helton said the county would be paying more attention to trucks hauling trash because there’s too much roadside litter in Catoosa.
“Once the bag hits the ground and gets torn up by a coyote, then the trash is everywhere,” he said. “And then when a mower comes by, guess what’s happens to that trash?”
The deputies handed out brochures to the drivers explaining the law and its penalties. Drivers must ensure the load is “adequately secured” to keep it from falling onto the road. For a first-time offense of litter less than 10 pounds, a driver can be charged with a misdemeanor and slapped with a $1,000 fine and 12 months in prison.
Tips for securing truck’s load* Don’t rely on the weight of an item to keep it in your truck. Bumps, turns and stops can dislodge even heavy items.* Consider buying a bed cover or keeping a tarp or cargo net handy.* All trash should be in sturdy bags and covered by a tarp or cargo net.Source: Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Most drivers seemed to appreciate the notice and the brochures the officers distributed.
Mark Smith, who lives only about three miles from the landfill, brought eight or 10 plastic bags of trash in a trailer behind his Honda Civic. When hauling trash farther, he puts a tarp over the trailer, he said, but not usually on short trips.
“I’ll start doing it now,” he said.
Lamar Proctor carried about six bags in the back of his pickup truck and said the deputies’ focus wouldn’t affect him but he’s glad they are doing it.
“It won’t hurt me, but I appreciate it,” the Ringgold resident said.