The litter control officers can issue citations and report violations whenever they witness people dumping trash in public premises, she said.
But littering usually happens either at night or early in the morning — when litter control officers have not yet reported for work, she added.
Camacho said DEQ has only one solid waste enforcement officer who can issue citations to commercial and industrial establishments that violate anti-litter law.
In Sept. 2006, 20 litter control officers were provided citation booklets, summons, sheets for narrative report and the Litter Control Act Complaint report during the signing of the National Public Lands Day Proclamation at American Memorial Park.
They were also provided uniforms — dark blue T-shirts with yellow print on the back.
Those who were certified were personnel of the Division of Environmental Quality, Coastal Resource Management. the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Department of Public Works, the Saipan Mayor’s Office and the Marianas Visitors Authority.
The officers also went to schools and met with different community groups to discuss the anti-littering law which imposes a maximum fine of $500.
A month later, the officers published a photo of the trash dumped at the 13 Fishermen Memorial Pavilion and warned the people responsible that they would be cited next time.
Camacho, in an interview yesterday, said she did not receive citations from the litter control officers in fiscal year 2008.
But DEQ continues to spearhead monthly cleanups, she added.
The problem, she said, is that “litter bugs” never tire of dumping trash — every time DEQ and volunteers conduct a cleanup, there’s always trash to pick up.
Since the government still has to address its manpower issue in able to fully enforce the law, Camacho said officials may want to consider using surveillance cameras to identify violators.
