Watch CBS News

Yorktown Residents May Record, Anonymously Report Litterbugs With First-Of-Its-Kind Law

YORKTOWN, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A new law lets people use their cellphones or private surveillance cameras to report littering in one Westchester County town.

As CBS2's Brian Conybeare reported, the litter law is the first of its kind in the nation – and the first culprit just got caught.

Driving on the 200 miles of roads crisscrossing Yorktown, one is bound to come across paper cups, bags and other assorted roadside trash.

"Litter is a problem!" said Joy Schneider of Yorktown. "Anywhere you go, you see things scattered around."

The problem is especially prevalent on Wood Street near the line with Putnam County, where neighbors installed a license plate reading high-definition surveillance camera and caught a driver tossing a bag out of his window.

CBS2's Conybeare showed the video to residents.

"I would never consider just driving along and throwing trash, you know? But a lot of people do it," said Alex Davidson of Yorktown.

"I can't imagine why anyone would do that," Schneider added.

The new civil littering law comes with a fine of up to $500, and signs are posted around town letting drivers know they could be under surveillance.

"It's a great tool in the arsenal against littering," said Yorktown Town Supervisor Michael Grace.

Grace, an attorney, came up with the anonymous reporting idea. He said the 84-year-old owner of the car from which the bag was thrown was fined $200, but it was actually her grandson who borrowed it behind the wheel.

"I wouldn't have wanted to be at the dinner table that evening for the grandson," Grace said.

But some fear the law might lead to people constantly videotaping each other.

"It's a little invasive," said Lauren Vallario of Yorktown. "I'm not totally against it, but at the same time, you know, the fact that it's not a police officer catching somebody is a little concerning."

So the next time you're driving around with some trash to dispose of, you may want to think twice and do the right thing because you never know who may be watching with a camera.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.