Police, Mepa, wardens join forces against litter louts

Graham Crocker

Aug 23rd 2008, 16:53

Maybe if there was a bin in the area the photo was taken, it wouldn't be so dirty.

The pavement at St George's Bay should be the next maghtab, but thanks to the people who put bins there, its not half as dirty as it should be. It would be cleaner if the bins were emptied frequently.

The only Real way to enforce the law is to install more dustbins and then yes fine people.
Its simply not fair on the public, to walk 2 streets up carrying their rubbish, just to throw it away.

Roger Cauchi Inglott

Aug 20th 2008, 09:10

A step in the right direction, but can we also cleanup our countryside? Leaving rubbish there encourages more people to dump because it's as if nobody cares. At the Dingli Cliffs there is a branch off the main scenic route that is a constant dump, also if all the wrecks of cars that have been there for decades can be removed it would be a big plus for such a scenic place.

I happen to be a tourist guide and I hear quite a lot of complaints. On another note very often I pass along the coast road Ghadira and often get asked by tourists why we have so many
homeless. they see the shanty towns and people making more of a home than just a regular tent and think that these are homeless. This is the image we are giving the tourists. Luckily I tell them it's just ordinary people living by the sea during the summer months but there are thousands of other tourists who travel alone, renting a car or using a public bus and there is nobody there to tell them that these people are merely camping out.

Kenneth Galea

Aug 19th 2008, 23:47

Malta was never one of the tidiest islands in the Mediterranean. Indeed the upkeep of numerous towns and villages is of paramount importance especially for the tourists who flock to our island. Certain tourist hot spots sadly remain an eye sore due to filth and illegal dumping. Surely the thousands of illegal immigrants currently residing in Malta can give their share and clean up the island? Problem solved Dr Gonzi!

Anthony Briffa

Aug 19th 2008, 21:47

A visit to the square infront of Pizza Hut in Bisazza Street will be opportune where domestic and commercial refuse is dumped starting from early morning waiting for collection around 12 o'clock, and this notwithstanding the sign put up recently by the Sliema Council prohibiting this. Some serious action is urgently needed. This area is supposed to be a commercial center and a tourist hub.

Pierre Agius

Aug 19th 2008, 17:40

I remember that when the wardens were introduced, we had made headway - people were careful and even carrying bags to collect dogs' remains. then one day it happened - almost surreal. The then Minister of Tourism (if you please) went personally arguing with a warden for fining one of his constituents. Since then litter and refuse control became a joke ... AND IT WILL BE SO. Let's face it we don't win Olympic Medals but we are the dirtiest in Europe! Thanks for the example ... well set.

Pierre Giusti

Aug 19th 2008, 14:45

It's about time!!! Malta is one huge garbage dump absolutely everywhere you go! People only learn in this country when you hit their pockets as was exemplified by the introduction of wearing seatbelts whilst driving. Everybody wears them now for fear of getting fined.The fines should be hefty and targeted even more heavily towards individuals throwing out so much as a cigarette butt. This is actually a much more serious problem than the dumping going on in the countyside. Close circuit cameras should be installed to catch people throwing litter from their cars ........ the islands at the crossroads in marsa are a perfect example of where ignorant people throw litter out of the car windows into to well kept greenery that aims to beautify their environment. My heart goes out to the hard working landscaping workers. In Singapore it is even illegal to chew gum in public, and unfortunately this kind of militant action is probably needed for a few years to instill some lawfulnes into the unruly Maltese. The authorities should easily be able to rake in a small fortune with this pilot project and hopefully invest the money collected into other systems such as cameras etc.

Lynn Zahra

Aug 19th 2008, 14:17

How ironic! The rubbish collector didn 't even turn up in our street in Ghajsielem yesterday.!

P Ellul Sullivan

Aug 19th 2008, 13:51

During this exercise will the public bins be emptied as well?????? or rather as often as the fines handed out to offenders????

EDWIN DEMARCO

Aug 19th 2008, 13:19

I never fail to be amused, every passing year, by "Promises!Promises! " - or proposed action which is vowed to be taken against litter louts. I cannot fail to mention the after effects of family barbercues, illegalities at Gnejna & Armier (no need to go into details), Bugibba's filthy promenade, the latest innovation being the inconveniences of the "extra area" pavements given to certain restaurants. They didn't get away with it in Sliema; they're too educated to put up a fight. They should have consulted MDD for delaying tactics. I'm afraid that littering is here to stay. Unfortunately, this is Malta's lot or should I have said that the majority of people in Malta are a littering lot?!! With a little help from some of the tourists who visit us too. By the way, it's a good thing they have a foreign number plate. I was assured that they can never be fined for a traffic contravention as the warden/s does not have any record of them. Who said anything about discrimination? "It's my life an' I do what I want!" That beautiful refrain... I wonder what beach smokers will do with their finished stubs? Chuck it in the sea?

Karen M. Zammit Manduca

Aug 19th 2008, 12:44

From some photos I saw recently, Floriana also needs a thorough clean up.

Joe Cordina

Aug 19th 2008, 12:06

The rocky beach at Ta' Xbiex should be a target, the state of the beach at present is deplorable

Franco Farrugia

Aug 19th 2008, 10:55

It is hoped that the law does not only deal with the small fry but also with all those powerful people guilty of littering and dumping! It's easy to fine the small fry individual. What about the conglomerates?

DVella

Aug 19th 2008, 10:29

Can the Valletta Local Council please follow suit and book the incosiderate and uncivilised twerp who takes his dog for a walk along the bridge and around St. James Cavalier then down past Castille every morning?? I am sure everybody that poasses from there during the day would prefer not to encounter a fresh steaming dog-turd of substantial proportions every single day!!! Moreover, if Local Councils are serious about this anti-littering campaign, the first step is to ensure that litter bins of adequate size and quantity are available in public spaces . . . . AND THAT THEY ARE EMPTIED REGULARLY!!!

Hamish Dempster

Aug 19th 2008, 10:00

Good show Mr Said, at least someone is thinking sense and lets hope that this project which is beng launched will be a success and continued to be enforced, not as usual , the furore will die down after a while. I hope that the Sliema/Gzira Promenade is also included so that it will dissuade some irresponsible , dirty dog owners to start picking up their dog poo
instead of leaving it to foul the promenade. The presence of a warden very early in the morning would definitly have its effect, since this was tried once and discontinued.for reasons not known.