The lineup at the weigh scale at the Greater Vernon Diversion and Disposal Facility is pictured in this undated photo submitted by the Regional District of the North Okanagan.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/RDNO
April 16, 2020 - 3:40 PM
The Regional District of North Okanagan is going to start dishing out $100 fines after staff at its landfill sites report repeated instances of verbal abuse.
While the Regional District is keeping landfill sites running during the pandemic, workers at the sites have endured multiple cases of verbal abuse, yelling and swearing, says a media release.
"We are all in this situation together, and we urge the public to recognize that the people running the facilities are keeping the sites open while also going through the stresses of a pandemic. A little bit of patience and kindness is what we all need right now," Regional District general manager of community services Mike Fox said in the release.
"It’s disheartening that we have come to this point, but we are prepared to issue $100 fines to people who don’t follow the basic, golden rule of treating others with respect."
The Region District has repeatedly reminded people to only make trips to the dump if waste will rot, stink, or attract animals.
Nevertheless, large numbers of people are still making trips to the dump with non-essential waste.
In the week April 9 to 14 over the long Easter weekend, 1,570 trips were made, only 44 fewer than in the same week in 2019.
The Regional District says the number of patrons allowed on-site at a time has been reduced due to social distancing and because of this, long waits should be expected.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Ben Bulmer or call (250) 309-5230 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2020