Crime & Safety
Fine for Littering in Rhode Island Doubled to $1,000
The maximum fine for a second littering offense also increased from a$500 to $5,000.
The maximum fine for littering in Rhode Island has doubled from $500 to $1,000.
Lawmakers and Gov. Lincoln Chafee recently approved the change. The maximum fine for a second littering offense also increased from a$500 to $5,000.
Senate Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio, D-Dist. 4, sponsored a bill mandating the higher fines.
"If we cannot convince people through education that littering is not the right thing to do, maybe a stiffer fine will convince them to find a proper receptacle for their trash," Ruggerio previously said.
The minimum fine for litter remains $85, and a requirement that offenders pick up the litter—for as many as 25 hours—is still in effect.Another change will allow local police departments to receive a portion of littering fines. The new policy will direct 30 percent of a fine to local law enforcement agency that made the littering complaint. Previously, all littering fines went to the state's general fund.
Do you agree with the higher littering fines?
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