RESOLUTION FOR THE INCREASE IN FINES & PENALTIES FOR THE OFFENCE OF URINATION IN PUBLIC SPACES UNDER THE NATIONAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ACT
WHEREAS the deposit of waste matter, to wit, urine in public spaces in the municipality has in recent time have become more pervasive.
AND WHEREAS the Kingston & St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (“KSAMC”) has been receiving a flood of complaints regarding the nuisance and the threat to public health resulting from this pernicious practice.
AND WHEREAS the practice of urinating in public spaces runs contrary to the KSAMC’s mandate to restore public and civil pride in the residents of the municipality.
AND WHEREAS Section 46 and 53 of the National Solid Waste Management Act of 2001 makes it an offence to urinate in public spaces.
AND WHEREAS the fines for contravention of Section 46(1) of the Act is a paltry Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) as prescribed by the National Solid Waste Management Public Cleansing Regulations made pursuant to Section 53 of the National Solid Waste Management Act.
AND WHEREAS the fines/penalties for the breach is not enough to deter persons from contravening the Act.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the KSAMC calls upon the government of Jamaica to expedite the tabling and passage of the Ministry of Local Government & Community Development’s proposed amendment to the National Solid Waste Management Public Cleansing Regulations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THATamendments include the doubling of the fines and custodial sentence in circumstances where the infraction occurs within 100 feet of any national heritage site.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THATthe municipal police be designated by the minister as one of the groups of persons under the Act authorised to enforce the Act and issue anti-litter tickets thereto.
