People who provide evidence leading to convictions for illegal dumping could receive a share of the fines under a proposal outlined by Prime Minister Gaston Browne.

Browne made the suggestion Saturday on the Browne and Browne Show on Pointe FM as he discussed efforts to address littering and indiscriminate dumping across Antigua and Barbuda.

The prime minister said residents could photograph vehicles being used to dump waste illegally and submit images showing their licence plates. Reports could be made anonymously.

Browne indicated that the fine for littering could be EC$3,000, although he acknowledged that he was uncertain whether that amount had already been enacted.

“I’m not too sure if we’d put this in law, but I’m going to ask the attorney general to address it,” Browne said.

He proposed that half of the fine—potentially EC$1,500—be awarded to the person whose information results in enforcement action.

Browne criticised people who dump building materials, household garbage and other waste in green spaces instead of taking it to the designated disposal site at Cooks.

He said the government continues to spend significant sums cleaning and beautifying Antigua and Barbuda, but those efforts are being undermined by indiscriminate dumping.

The prime minister also called for stronger action against people who throw bottles, cans and other rubbish from vehicles.

He said wardens in St. John’s had been instructed to improve enforcement, including issuing tickets to businesses that place garbage outside their premises at unauthorised times.

Browne said the government would seek to confirm the applicable fine and determine how the proposed reward system could be implemented.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: PM Browne Proposes Rewards for Reporting Illegal Dumping.