State Patrol & CDOT Get On Same Page To Catch Book Litterbug
BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - The Colorado State Patrol and the Colorado Department of Transportation got on the same page to throw the book at a litterbug.
According to the State Patrol, somebody had been littering an area of Highway 287 in Boulder County with books since Feb. 19. CDOT crews had to be called in to clean up the books.
"The crews were then forced to pick up the books, over 600, by hand," Sgt. Rob Madden with the Colorado State Patrol said in a statement.
Madden said CDOT crews logged more than 20 hours cleaning up books since February.
"On the surface, this may seem like a petty thing, but you can't judge a book by its cover," Madden said. "Any time CDOT crews respond to provide maintenance to the highway, they are at risk of being hit by passing motorists."
Manpower costs and temporary lane closures were also associated with the littering.
On Thursday the book was closed on the case after Trooper Dennis Wilder caught the suspected litterbug.
"Throughout Trooper Wilder's investigation, he worked with CDOT to ensure we were on the same page. The investigation went strictly by the book and after conducting surveillance of the driver, Trooper Wilder observed him throw books from his moving vehicle," Madden said. "Trooper Wilder threw the book at the driver for six counts of littering from a moving vehicle."
Glenn Pladsen of Arvada was issued a citation and released.
"Anytime trash is thrown from a vehicle there are consequences. Please keep our beautiful state in mind as you drive our roads and we sincerely hope this is the final chapter in this annoying story."
