CITY POLICE COULD HELP IN PUTTING A STOP TO DUMPING AT THRIFT STORE

The Salvation Army could use some help in trying to stop unthinking people who drop off donations to its thrift store at 610 Independence when the store is closed.

The unsolicited practice is costing the agency valuable staff time and money. Most of the items, particularly furniture, must be hauled to a landfill. That is costing the agency $40 to $60 a day and amounts to the Salvation Army's operating a trash transfer station for those who have found an easy and inexpensive way to discard their junk.

If the public isn't going to cooperate, Cape Girardeau police could play a big part in putting a stop to the practice, and they should. Because the store has posted signs saying it does not accept donations after hours, people caught dumping at the store could be charged with littering or trespassing.

If police made a few arrests on those charges, word would get around quickly, and the dumping would stop.