The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office will be part of an upcoming initiative to stop speeding, impaired drivers and those who discard trash from their vehicles on the interstates and roadways in Shelby County.
“Partnerships are the key to addressing problems in our community. Traffic safety and littering are certainly issues that need constant attention. We’re pleased to be part of this effort,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.
The enforcement effort begins on Thursday, September 2, 2004, and will continue through Labor Day, September 6, 2004. Agencies participating with the Sheriff’s Office will be the Memphis City Beautiful Commission, City of Memphis General Services Division, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Memphis Police Department.
“We are delighted to have our local and state enforcement officials join Memphis City Beautiful's effort to encourage citizens not to litter. Uncovered loads and littering motorists discard trash onto Memphis and Shelby County streets and highways every day. With these officers enforcing the law, citizens will soon realize littering is not tolerated in our town,” said Eldra White, Executive Director of Memphis City Beautiful.
The idea for the campaign was sparked by the Memphis City Beautiful Commission’s “Interstate Task Force.” The task force meets routinely and is comprised of many local community service and law enforcement agencies including the “Keep Tennessee Beautiful” program.
“Keep Tennessee Beautiful's message has always been that picking up litter is a short term solution. TDOT spends thousands of dollars every year picking up trash on highways and state roads. We are pleased to join in this effort with law enforcement and other agencies,” said State of Tennessee Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely.
On September 2nd, volunteers with the Memphis City Beautiful Commission will be reminding drivers about the anti-litter campaign as they pass the intersection of Poplar at Highland. Volunteers will be at that corner waving signs that read, “Don’t Litter,” “Keep Memphis Clean,” “Don’t Trash Memphis,” and “Pitch In, Not Out.”
Also on that day, and continuing throughout the Labor Day holiday weekend, law enforcement officers will be looking for trucks that have escaping loads and for drivers who throw trash from vehicles. Those caught littering will receive a citation and face a fine of up to $200.00.
Deputies, State Troopers, and Police Officers will also be on the look out for speeders, impaired drivers and those in vehicles who are not wearing their seat belts.