East Orlando Sun - News Paper? Or Organized Litterers?
We have 2-3 news papers in East Orlando that are constantly being left our front lawns and driveways. I try to read one of them every week, The East Orlando Sun, because it is our true local news paper for Avalon Park. And honestly, I love small publications. In fact, when I was growing up, the Wellington Town Crier was one of my favorite things to read. And even to this day, when I go to a new city/state I always pick up the local paper because it’s the easiest way to get a feel for what is going on and what to do while you’re there. (Except for Vegas — be careful what you pick up and read in Vegas… ;) ) But just because I love them, doesn’t mean they don’t piss me off. (Whats new…)
So, today while getting the mail. I noticed that some of my neighbors have 3-4 Copies of this (weekly) newspaper sitting on their front lawn / sidewalk. Not only is it an eye sore, but you would figure that the paper person would of stopped after 1 or 2. Even worse some of these homes are places where I see the residents every day — Which means they are walking right by the papers and not picking them up even if it is just to throw them away. Is this paper so bad that some of my neighbors are even afraid to touch it? Possibly… But I really think the residents are just lazy, snow birds, have already moved out of their overpriced house which has been on the market for a year and will never sell, or their interest only reverse adjustable rate balloon mortgage has matured and they can no longer afford the payment and have skipped town before the foreclosure man comes a knocking.
So, this brings up the question, Who is responsible for cleaning up the papers? I would figure that it would be the East Orlando Suns responsibility to pick them up because it’s pretty much branded litter? right? Well, possibly not. After searching for what “Litter” is — it doesn’t mean quite what I thought it did.
Wikipedia puts it best: “Litter is a waste type consisting of any tangible personal property which has been unlawfully scattered and or abandoned in a public place (usually outdoors). Tangible property abandoned in a private space is not considered litter.”
So since they are leaving an unsolicited tangible item on PRIVATE property — What is the Crime (if any)? Solicitation? Dumping? And is it their responsibility to go out after the fact and clean up papers that have not been picked up? Or, once the paper is on private property does it become the sole responsibility of the property owner to clean up?
I pay for the Orlando Sentinel to be delivered. So, that is clearly my responsibility. But, I have never asked or paid for this paper to be delivered — So who’s responsibility is it? I’m just sick of picking up 20 papers each week so my street doesn’t look like a landfill. Any ideas for a resolution? Or insight into laws that govern this activity?
Actually, another interesting question would be: Since I’m technically removing these papers from private property, does that mean I’m “Stealing” the papers?
Comment by mrhing
August 29th, 2007 @ 5:27 pm
The local Pennysaver finally stopped dropping their ‘litter’ on my lawn. Personally I think it is trespass to throw that crap on my lawn, you can’t stop them. As you said they don’t get the hint when you leave 3 weeks worth killing the grass. At least when I get junk mail in my mailbox I know the postal service is being funded.
I too like local newspapers, but their isn’t one article worthy of the title ‘news’ in my ‘local’ pennysaver.
Comment by Craig
August 29th, 2007 @ 6:39 pm
I like the local news, but have no time to read a paper. after putting up with newspaper litter at my house for too long, I called the publisher several times asking them to stop. finally, I happened to be home when the delivery person came by. I asked if she had a “no delivery” list, and she did, but never looked at it. so I asked her to skip our house, and we didn’t get any more… until a different person took over the route.
Comment by buffalo2wheeler
August 31st, 2007 @ 9:17 pm
If they could figure out which side of the house to leave the papers on and not in the alley one week and the front porch the next we might pick those things up (if it hasn’t rained before we get home from work). But looking at the papers after a couple of weeks out in the weather is like having your own science project too. I believe it is the HOA’s responsibility to clean those things up with the amount of money we pay them.
Comment by The Neighbor with the beer
September 10th, 2007 @ 9:57 pm
Craig put his finger on the answer to your question of “What is the Crime (if any)?” It’s trespass. Read Tillman v. Distribution Sys. Of America, Inc., 224 A.D.2d 79, 648 N.Y.S.2d 630 (N.Y.A.D. 1996.
Comment by Jack
February 22nd, 2008 @ 4:26 pm