Officers have to witness littering to write ticket

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Tossing a soda can out the car window can get you a hefty fine. <br><br>But only if a law officer is watching. <br><br>Several law enforcement agencies monitor littering in Oklahoma,

Friday, July 5th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Tossing a soda can out the car window can get you a hefty fine.

But only if a law officer is watching.

Several law enforcement agencies monitor littering in Oklahoma, but, in most cases, they have to witness the trash hitting the ground to write a ticket.

Residents might have a better chance of getting ticketed in Canadian, Cleveland and Oklahoma counties, where trash cops patrol the streets.

Roy Magerkurth in Cleveland County says he has a punishment that usually works on litterbugs.

The trash cop makes violators pick up their litter, then take it to a trash station and get a receipt.

There's a small charge, but it beats a littering fine. In some cities, fines are as high as one thousand dollars.

Oklahomans who want to report a litterbug can call the Transportation Department's hot line. Litterbugs will get a postcard in the mail reminding them to put trash where it belongs.

The hot line number is 888-5-LITTER.