Letter of the Day | There should be penalties for littering

THE EDITOR; Madam:

Despite robust campaigns to curb the practice of littering, Jamaicans generally demonstrate little desire to abandon this habit. Ironically, ‘Do Not Litter’ signs often lead to the creation of small dumps in front of them, and it is still common to see drivers and passengers hurling garbage through windows. Even those responsible for creating and enforcing anti-litter laws thwart them!

Recently, access to the Old Spanish Bridge was barred, because, among other things, throngs of pleasure seekers and vendors have been leaving behind piles of garbage there. The vitriolic response to this decision was expected; here we had another attraction being denied to Jamaicans by private landowners. However, for all the anger directed at this group, their role in preserving some of the most idyllic locations in Jamaica is undeniable.

Attractions need to be managed and maintained, and with a population intent on defying all rules of civility, this task becomes onerous and expensive. Individuals and private companies have assumed stewardship of many locations and bear the cost of their development. As a result, access to these places often attract a fee.

We must reject littering as just another part of our culture. However, until we do, it is not surprising that proprietors would deny access to people who obviously cannot be trusted to maintain a clean environment. Neither is it unreasonable for them to charge an entry fee to fund the clean-up of the litter that will inevitably be left behind.

MARIA MUTIDJO