Police Zero In On Trash Violators In Order To Protect Bears
BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. (CBS4) - Officers with Breckenridge police on Monday began stepped up what they call zero tolerance patrols for residents who don't comply with city garbage codes.
There has been a recent increase in bear activity around the city, and that has the police looking for people who may be adding to the already bad bear problem this year by leaving their trash outside in containers that aren't bear-proof.
Police say this year they have had 31 calls about bears being sighted or being in dumpsters within city limits.
Earlier this summer several people also posted pictures on social media of a large bear walking down Main Street.
Now bears are in their final few weeks before hibernation, when they must eat nearly 20,000 calories a day, so more bears have been spotted looking for a easy meal inside mountain town limits.
Breckenridge police spokesman Matthew Collver said they have issued two citations so far for trash that's improperly stored.
According to Breckenridge code, garbage can be placed at the curbside only on the day of pickup between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., and trash must be fully contained in an appropriate receptacle. The lid of the container must be fully closed and securely attached.
All households are required to store garbage cans inside a home, garage, building or shed, unless their can is equipped with some type of latching mechanism that will hold the lid securely to the can.
Collver said the department handed down nearly 50 warnings about improperly stored trash in the past two months.
Additional Resources
To report trash violations, call the Breckenridge Police Department at (970) 453-2941.
Call Summit County's non-emergency dispatch line at (970) 668-8600 to report bears.
For more information about living near bears visit cpw.state.co.us/.../LivingwithWildlifeBears1.aspx
Matt Kroschel covers news throughout Colorado working from the CBS4 Mountain Newsroom. Send story ideas to mrkroschel@cbs.com and connect with him on Twitter @Matt_Kroschel.
