Prisoners assigned to litter detail

Oconee Sheriff’s Office will use inmate labor this spring to clean up roads and highways across the county.  Recently, Corporal Brandon Meadows, Environmental Services Officer, supervised inmate labor to clean up portions of Charles Drive in Westminster and Forest Path Lane in Walhalla.  According to Meadows, one load of litter taken to solid waste weighed approximately 1,760 pounds.  Sheriff Crenshaw says, “The inmates will be wearing yellow vests and signs will be posted on the side of the road clearly marking the area where the inmate litter detail and pickup is ongoing.  Also, Sheriff’s Office vehicles will be clearly marked as well.  Please slow down and drive carefully in these areas for the safety of all.”  The Sheriff’s Office is part of the Zero Tolerance for Litter campaign again this year and Crenshaw has asked officers to continue to be vigilant in regards to litter enforcement.  In 2014, the Sheriff’s Office announced it had begun participation in the Adopt-a-Highway program by adopting a portion of Highway 11 in Picket Post.  Since then, deputies and their family members have participated in picking up litter quarterly. No vehicle which transports litter may be driven or moved on any highway unless the litter and trash is secured by means of a covering which is fastened securely.  According to Keep America Beautiful, there are seven sources of litter, which included household garbage, commercial waste, loading docks, construction debris, motorists, pedestrians, and uncovered vehicles. Fines are as high as $500 for anyone who is caught littering, but with court costs, those fees may go as high as $1,092.50.  Besides the court costs, jail time of up to 30 days is possible.

2016 Litter Pick-up (3) 2016 Litter Pick-up (2)