Community Alert - Garbage Pickers

Someone sent in the following blog comment:  "It seems that the popular thing today has become for people to check car doors and steal anything inside, including mail or personal data. I have also noticed an increase in can collectors and they have become more brazen and come onto my property and help themselves to anything that is not nailed done. This morning I heard someone in my yard and looked out the window to see a can collector going though my garbage and making a complete mess. I politely asked for them to get off my property but they didn't listen. I had to go down into my yard and they still wouldn't leave, it almost got physical since I noticed it wasn't just cans they are looking for. I noticed they were also interested in mail that I threw out. This is why it should be illegal for people to go through our garbage since you can find out a lot about a person from their garbage. There are more and more of these can collectors, can't something be done?"
 
Answer

• NYC Sanitation Code 16-118(7)(B) - Unauthorized Removal of Refuse:  "No one, other than an authorized employee or agent of the DSNY, shall disturb or remove ashes, garbage, refuse (including recycling) or rubbish placed within the stoop line or in front of houses for removal by householders, tenants or occupants."  FINE: $100-$300
• NYC Sanitation Code 16-118(7)(b) - Theft of Residential Recyclable Material:  "Except for an authorized employee or agent of DSNY, it shall be unlawful for any person to disturb, remove, or transport by motor vehicle any amount of recyclable material (placed out a curbside) for collection or removal by the Department.  Penalties for this offense include a fine and vehicle impoundment.  Both the owner and driver of the vehicle are liable for theft of recyclable material.  Except for an authorized employee or agency of DSNY, it shall be unlawful for any person to disturb, remove, or transport by motor vehicle any amount of recyclable material placed out at curbside, within the stoop line, or in front of the premise for collection or removal by the Department."  FINE:  $2,000
• So what does this mean?  This means if any suspicious person is on your property going through your trash or on your property for any other reason, don't confront them because you could get hurt - CALL 911! 

Please pass this on to family, friends and neighbors.  Similar regulations exist for commercial businesses.  You can visit Sanitation's website at www.nyc.gov/sanitation for more information about all Sanitation's regulations for private property as well as commercial businesses.  If you have any questions, feel free to ask and we'll try to get you an answer.