Kitimat dump littering has police giving out warnings

A Kitimat highway scattered with trash has led to a warning from police: strap your garbage to your truck properly, or it may mean a ticket.

Highway 37 leading to Kitimat's dump has been covered in debris lately as loose junk flies off vehicles.

An abandoned car seat has been found, as has scattered construction waste and even an entire bed.

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"I've noticed just even through social media I think this might be the biggest year where it's been an issue," Kitimat RCMP Const. Rebekah Draht told Radio West host Audrey McKinnon.

The Kitimat RCMP has set up roadblocks on the road leading up to the dump and is stopping drivers to remind them that they are obligated to properly secure their loads, and how they can do that properly.

Draht says the RCMP will be educating drivers and issuing warnings until April 15, but she's not sure where they will go from there.

"We're not looking to go out there and flood the town with tickets," she said. "We're going to continue the education, warnings, and then if it has to move to tickets, then we'll move from there."

Draht says if tickets are given out, the fine is $81 for littering and $173 for having an improperly secured load.

With files from Radio West

To hear the full story, click on the audio labelled:Dumping on way to dump in Kitimat leads to police warnings