Junk Pickers Illegal? Let it Go

Chris June 19, 2012 at 12:05 pm

I couldn't AGREE more...

Jay June 19, 2012 at 12:52 pm

While I agree that council must have better things to discuss, the problem I have with those who do go thru the trash is that they leave it a mess on the tree lawn. I have seen people have gone thru piles of trash or move boxes to go thru bags and spread it out instead of putting it back the way they found it. Just because its garbage does not mean I want my yard looking like garbage so someone can find a "treasure" or something to sell.

Chris June 19, 2012 at 01:31 pm

I can't understand why people don't want others to profit from their trash.
It takes a LOT of work for those who do it. It's not truly FREE... If you are throwing it out, let it go... If there were really that many people making a mess on the treelawn, wouldn't we ALL notice it?

Kathleen Obrien-Wilhelm (TEA BAGGER) June 19, 2012 at 02:51 pm

What's up Count Chocula? Haven't seen the likes of your TEA BAGGIN' in a long time. I hope that as a big City government we first permit the collections of garbage. I'd guess about $1000.00 annual permit fee, then we draft an eye-watering piece of legislation to limit what collectors (bums) can actually do and more importantly (not do). This law should be so drawn out and confusing it would actually be up to local government how to interpret it. This way no matter what the bums are doing - if we want to discriminate against one or two we can interpret the law to mean whatever they were doing was actually illegal! Last step would be to make sure uncle sam get his piece of the action. We should tax the profit at 50% this way we can have money to perform a study to see if the bums are affecting property values. It would be totally different though, if these people were job creators. We could give them tax abatements, free services, and come up with seminars on how to make them more money. Kathleen - do you still consider yourself a job creator with your fake home business or have you admitted the truth that your just an old divorced internet troll?

lake swimmer June 19, 2012 at 03:13 pm

leave the trash pickers alone! I often put out stuff counting on the fact that the junk pickers will pick it up long before the garbage truck gets here... the trash pickers lessen the impacts on our landfills, recycle, and provide a living for their families... I'd much rather my trash went to the pickers to be recycled or refurbished and generally reduce landfill impact. On top of which, it doesn't cost me anything extra to put stuff out for the trash pickers, as oppposed to paying increased fees to the regular garbage collection service. It doesn't matter what political party you belong to, we all want to keep costs down and to promote smart government.

Dave June 19, 2012 at 04:01 pm

only thing I object to is seeing :"pickers" opening up bags of trash and taking paperwork out. Could be a goldmine for identify fraud......

BillG June 19, 2012 at 05:07 pm

Yes, they provide a beneficial activity. However, some make a mess of trash in their search for useful items. They need some minimum requirements for the activity, such as, return the pile to the general condition you found it when done.

Chris June 19, 2012 at 06:38 pm

REGULATION is just another way for the government to get their hands in the profit of the little guy. It will NOT result in change...

TK June 20, 2012 at 01:43 pm

Just as long as they stay at the curb. It gets a little creepy when they come into your garage or into your back yard to ask about something in your garage!!! If it's in my garage, it's mine...

matt June 20, 2012 at 01:56 pm

i have seen garbage pickers outside U.S. BANK sifting thru receipts. i dont wont them sifting thru my personal things looking for identidy theft. they spill my trash on the ground and dont care if it blows into my neighbors yards. they stole my brand new garbage cans and left my trash bags on the lawn. use permits low cost permits to track nuisances and keep them out of my garbage

matt June 20, 2012 at 02:34 pm

exactly

matt June 20, 2012 at 02:36 pm

i notice it on my lawn and so do my neighbors on Electric blvd

Andrea S June 20, 2012 at 03:05 pm

I don't like it when they actually come into your yard and ask for things, if it's by the curb take it, if not don't bother coming and asking me about it. Maybe they should just be told to display a city permit on their truck which is easily viewable so if someone has a complaint about a particularly bad picker they know who it is? Then that person could be banned from picking if they're repeatedly leaving messes in people's yards, etc.

Chris June 20, 2012 at 03:17 pm

They do have a License Plate on their vehicle that can be used to identify them...
A permit would no doubt be smaller than a license plate and way more costly to tax payers and scrappers alike. Why cause extra fees for people who already have NO money?

Sharon June 21, 2012 at 11:53 am

I am actually disappointed if something I put out on the curb that could be used by someone else is still there in the morning when the trash men come. Even my two year old granddaughter was excited when her old bike (which was a hand me down) was picked up on Sunday evening for some other little girl to be able to ride. Can't wait to see what the city will pick on next?

Sharon Hehl June 24, 2012 at 01:22 am

Everyone is entitled to express their opinion; however you are out of line and a bully. Bet your mom is very proud of you.

Scott Rollins June 24, 2012 at 04:37 pm

A co-worker of mine scraps our work leftovers when he can, mainly for the extra cash it brings in. I believe that most scrappers are just looking for some extra money and to call it recycling is hardly accurate. I have had alot of scrappers break things open on my tree lawn like an old TV just to get a few pieces and left the shattered plastic and anything else for me to clean up. Also you might have noticed that if they dont want the device\appliance they take the cord. How do you suppose they remove the metal wires from the plastic shielding? Do we honestly think they sit down and slowly cut and pull apart the wire, or do they toss a bundle of cables in something and set them on fire? Yeah these "recyclers" and really helping out the environment.
I am all for them finding something in value in my garbage but lets not dress this up and call it what it is. Reality is there is nothing that can really be done without seeming heavy handed and void of common sense. If nothing else make it a point to talk to the people doing it, and establish rules, I did and i have a few people i call when i know im going to be putting things of interest out. They know there are others that give them a bad name, there are always bad apples in any bunch. I just do what i can to make sure those jerks get nothing, and i make sure the respectful scrappers get something i know they will value.

Jon Douchichev June 6, 2013 at 11:32 pm

Kathy, if you are truly focusing on this issue you're a buffoon.