PEMBROKE — There are traffic courts, veterans courts, teen courts and drug courts.

Now those wanting a cleaner and greener Robeson County are advocating the establishment of a court that would deal with people who litter.

“I don’t know if there is a litter court anywhere else,” county Commissioner Raymond Cummings, chairman of the county’s Clean and Green steering committee, said during a meeting Tuesday night at COMtech. “But that would be something good for Robeson County to be first in.”

The committee has been working since April 2015 to come up with ways to educate the public about the need to stop littering. Also, an effort is being made to encourage more enforcement of laws already on the books prohibiting littering.

Cummings acknowledged that he is not sure how such a court would be structured and function, but plans to consult with the county’s attorney.

“I’m excited about the idea of a litter court,” Cummings said after the meeting. “It’s somewhat common for there to be specific courts such as drug courts and veterans courts. Handling litter cases this way would not add to the congestion of the court system.”

Kristina Cummings, recycling coordinator for the Robeson County Solid Waste Department, briefly reported on anti-littering efforts that have taken place since the Clean and Green movement officially kicked off with a roadside cleanup on July 1. These efforts have included: More than 400 letters sent to churches and merchants encouraging them to participate in litter abatement programs, attend meetings, and suggest ideas for preventing litter in their areas; participation in various community events and the placement of signs urging people to keep Robeson County clean and green; and roadside cleanups held by various groups throughout the county.

Cummings said that from July 1 through Dec. 31, 2015, more than 45 tons of trash had been removed from Robeson County roadways.

“This does not mean that more has not been collected,” Cummings said. “But this is the amount received into the Robeson County landfill and identified by either the customer or North Carolina Department of Transportation as such.”

At the recommendation of committee member Kayron Maynor, the board is going to see if a countywide cleanup of roadways can be organized for Earth Day on April 22.

“There has not been much of a cleanup in Robeson County since 2013,” she said. “I think we need an aggressive county cleanup.”

At the recommendation of Maynor, the board will be asking state legislative leaders, county officials, the state DOT, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office and others involved in coordinating efforts to control littering to meet with the board on Feb. 23.

“We need everyone to come to the table to help solve these problems,” Maynor said.

The board also is beefing up its efforts to stop littering by designing and putting up standing signs asking anyone who spots someone littering along county roadways to report the incident to local authorities. A number where the incident can be reported will be placed on the signs.

The next Clean and Green meeting will be held at 6 p.m., Feb. 23 at the office of the Lumber River Council of Governments at COMtech.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_Clean_and_green_pdf_cmyk.jpgThe next Clean and Green meeting will be held at 6 p.m., Feb. 23 at the office of the Lumber River Council of Governments at COMtech.

By Bob Shiles

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Bob Shiles can be reached at 910-416-5165.