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"Operation Neaux Throw" targets litterbugs in Lafayette Parish

Fines increase
Neaux Throw.jpg
Posted at 4:27 PM, Mar 10, 2022
and last updated 2022-03-10 18:47:58-05

Reporting those who litter in Lafayette Parish can now be done online through a new operation.

Lafayette Consolidated Government says to help reduce litter in Lafayette Parish, penalties are steeper and citizens can now report litterbugs through the Lafayette 311 website.

Operation Neaux Throw is aimed at drivers who toss trash, cigarette butts, or any type of litter out of vehicle windows.

Before reporting on 311lafayette.services, citizens should gather as much information as possible when witnessing someone intentionally littering — date, time, the vehicle’s color, make, model, and license plate. Unintentional littering, such as trash flying out of a truck bed, is still considered littering.

Online reporting also allows for reporting litter spotted in the community which will be scheduled for pickup.

All reported cases will be turned over to the city prosecutor and include a mandatory court appearance.

Litter Fines and Community Service (community service must be through a court-approved litter abatement work program)

  • First violation: $200 fine and 30 hours of community service
  • Second violation: $300 fine and 60 hours of community service
  • Third violation: $400 fine, 90 hours of community service, and 30 days in the parish jail
  • Fourth violation: $500 fine, 120 hours community service, and 60 days in the parish jail

For each violation, the offender will pay special court costs of $100.

LCG says that currently when you go to the website to fill out the form to report a litterbug, it will ask the user if they are willing to sign an affidavit. If the user does not wish to do so, the site will direct them to cancel the request and report the litter by choosing the “Report Litter” option rather than “Report a Litterer”.

All litterbug reports with valid, tangible descriptions will be sent by the Environmental Quality Division to the City Prosecutors Office for investigation and disposition. If the complaint is deemed valid they will be referred to City Court from there.

For those in other municipalities, those complaints will be referred to the District Attorney’s Office for processing.

For general litter, it will be entered into LCG's Neaux Throw database and assigned to a clean-up team.

"For areas that need extra attention, we will partner with Parish Proud, Keep Lafayette Beautiful, or another volunteer organization to coordinate a litter clean-up event."

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