Scott City cracks down on teen littering

By MATT SANDERS

Southeast Missourian

The Scott City government sent out several letters this morning advising parents and teens that the city is about to crack down hard on teens who litter at the caboose parking lot on Main Street.

The city government allowed teens to use the lot early this spring as a safe place where they can gather without bothering businesses. However, problems have started to develop with teenagers leaving litter behind every morning, said Scott City Mayor Tim Porch.

Police have been taking down license numbers on vehicles parking at the lot, and letters were sent out this morning to the people those cars are registered to, whether they're teenagers or their parents.

Porch said the city isn't accusing any particular teens or targeting anyone -- City Administrator Ron Eskew will receive a letter after his son's numbers were taken -- but the letters are meant to show teenagers and their parents the city government is serious about cleaning up the littering problem.

Police chief Don Cobb said his officers keep a high profile with the teens at the lot, stopping to visit them every day and remind them not to litter. So far officers haven't caught anyone in the act, but Cobb said "I'm not above calling in a reserve officer and having him sit three blocks away and use a spotting scope to see who's doing this littering. It could happen soon."

Anyone caught in the act will be ticketed. The maximum penalty is a $500 fine in Scott City court.