by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
By November, Jacksonville may be faced with whether it wants to put its trash where it belongs or let it land where it may.
Working from a 2002 JCCI Forward study, a handful of local advocates are currently lobbying hard on the issue. They say the City either needs to develop a more productive anti-litter campaign or at least fix the one already in place.
The group, which includes members of JCCI Forward and Leadership Jax, has already met with City Council members Lynette Self, Pat Lockett-Felder and Suzanne Jenkins.
“What they’re saying is, ‘Look, we need to get everyone on board and start thinking about a zero tolerance policy here,’” said Jenkins. “That includes educating the public, changing the way we do business in the city and, if we have to, enforce laws that prohibit littering in every neighborhood.
“They want an all inclusive program that won’t leave any area in town.”
According to the study, 13 littering citations were issued in 2002.
“I think it’s pretty safe to say that more than 13 people littered in 2002,” said Jenkins. “We have to think about making simple adjustments like enforcing those laws because we’re already funding anti-littering campaigns. Maybe it’s just that we can do it better. Maybe we need to consolidate our efforts and put the money into things that can work.”
Those things, said Jenkins, may include public service announcements, school programs and other publicity driven campaigns.
“There are lots of ways to approach this problem,” she said.
The first step in making a policy change will be finding a segment of the community to support it.
Jenkins said the Council would not have the final say.
“If we have the necessary support, then the Council can look at introducing legislation to get it on the November ballot,” she said. “I have no problem sponsoring that kind of bill, but ultimately the public is going to have the final say on this because they’re the ones that are going to have to be committed to it.”