CCTV cameras to monitor litter bugs step in right direction
Amove to use CCTV cameras to monitor litter bugs is a positive, concrete step to crack down on littering. It will act as a deterrent against trashing our communities and reinforcing the message that rubbishing our environment is unacceptable and not tolerated.
When people are caught on camera swift action is required to hold them accountable – whether it is on the spot fine or a summons for court appearance.
Applying the law is key to the success of this exercise otherwise it is a waste of time.
We are fast approaching the final quarter of this year and we are still talking about this problem of littering or the indiscriminate littering of household and even commercial waste in our communities. Last year, we talked about it in the same way as we did the preceding years. One thing was missing – putting words into action.
As a newspaper we have been highlighting this problem.
Every time we do it, it evokes community spirit and excitement to do something. After a while the excitement wanes and it’s back to the old ways.
The inconsistency in which we have all tried to address this problem is a major setback. It falls squarely on the relevant authorities for their lack of decisive action.
They have the power to apply the law and make things happen but their indecision or failure to take appropriate action has largely contributed to the general public apathy about this issue. If they cannot take action, who does?
We can all create public awareness about the dangers of what littering does to our health and the environment but if offenders are not held to account, it erodes public confidence in the authorities and the system – whether they are municipal councils, rural district councils, settlements, villages, provinces or the central government.
It appears at times that bureaucracy slows down action being taken. This could be due to the issue of who is ultimately responsible to take action. Sometimes there is a bit of buck-passing going on. Whatever it is, we need to change our attitude – from the ordinary people to the authorities – if we are going to get rid of littering.
We all like to live in a clean neighbourhood, town or city, village or settlement and a pristine environment that draws visitors to Fiji.
When we litter and don’t take action against the offenders, we show a lack of civic and national pride. The CCTV cameras are only effective if the images they capture are used as evidence to prosecute perpetrators of littering.
Then what do we do in areas where there are no CCTV cameras? Civic minded residents should report offenders with incriminating evidence like photos.
At the same time we should continue our public awareness campaign that littering is a serious offence – serious because of the collateral damage it can cause to the environment and our health and wellbeing.
This collective approach will help to drastically cut littering and even eliminate it completely.