By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

FOUR persons, including a minor, have been caught dumping trash in public areas since litter control officers were authorized to enforce the island’s anti-litter law three months ago.
The first offender was caught in early November on a beach in Garapan while the second and third violators were caught in separate occasions dumping trash along a road in Koblerville which, according to Beautify CNMI! Recycling chairwoman Tina Sablan, has been an illegal dumpsite for years now.
“We are really trying to crackdown on illegal dumping in that area,” she said.
The fourth violator was seen disposing construction debris also in Koblerville early last month.
Sablan said since it was these individuals’ first offense they will pay a fine of $200 to $500.
The litter control officers were certified early in October and were authorized to hand citation tickets to those caught throwing garbage in public.
The 20 litterbug busters educated the community about their role before they fully enforced the anti-littering law otherwise known as Public Law 6-37.
The officers said it was important to inform the people first about the cleanup campaign and make them aware of the consequences so that ‘they may have no excuses once they get busted.”