Readers ask why can’t cameras target area littering scofflaws
QWith regard to trash, you said cameras were tried along Monterey Road but were ineffective. Pray, tell us more. Why were the cameras deemed ineffective?
—T.S.
ASeveral issues came up. When people realized where cameras were located, they moved to other locations. The cameras have a hard time reading plate numbers. And the cost for one camera can cost $30,000, which is why San Jose tested only three. The fine for illegal dumping is a hefty $2,500, but of the 31 citations issued, only 10 people paid. The three cameras were moved to different sites.
There has been talk about putting up fake cameras, but city leaders are mixed on how effective that ploy would be.
QI had a good laugh when I read about the trash on Monterey Road. Every time my wife and drive down this road, the amount of furniture being dumped seems to increase. I swear, if someone were to furnish a house on the cheap, there’s a living room set, dining room set, appliances and bedroom sets all free for the taking.
Don’t blame Caltrans. The real problem is the people who dump their crap wherever they feel. They’re cheap, lazy and inconsiderate slobs who care for nobody but themselves. Bulk items can be picked up by your trash company from your home for $42 for the first two pieces. This means a large sofa or a refrigerator. I’d rather pay the $42 and have someone pick it up for me.
The fact of the matter is there simply isn’t a way to monitor that stretch of roadway 24 hours to catch these morons. It happens on Monterey Road, and it happens all along Santa Teresa Boulevard parallel to Monterey.
At one point, someone placed wooden signs on the side of the road that said, “Stop Trashing Coyote Valley.” The trash simply moved farther down the road and the signs eventually disappeared.
— Norm M., Morgan Hill
AThe city posted numerous “no dumping” signs but that’s exactly where some people are dumping.
QAbout the problem with dead car batteries, please convey to your readers about getting a battery tender. It’s an easy hookup for even this 80-year-old grandma. We have them on all our cars, as well as on our watercraft. A 12-volt tender costs around $40 and it saves waiting for a charge from AAA or whomever.
One excellent solution for cars sitting unused for long intervals is a trickle charger, which runs under $20 and will keep the battery charged for months of non-use. We used one on my wife’s car while we were away for six months and had no problems when we got back.
— Marcia Citti, Kevin Oberman and others
A Thanks for the tip.