The Editor,
Re. “Tickets, fines, warnings in Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam” The Tri-City News, June 1).
The city of Coquitlam handed out hundreds of $500 fines in just one night to residents who had put their garbage out “too early.”
On my street alone there were at least $5,000 worth of violation notices. This is clearly a cash grab by the city, even if first time-offenders only have to pay half.
A speeding ticket costs less than $200. How is $250 or $500 justifiable? Especially when you consider what is and is not being ticketed.
I keep my bins in a locked garage all week, but I did bring them out the night before my scheduled pick up. My neighbour’s bins are often unsecured all week, but because they aren’t “at the curb” they do not receive a ticket.
In theory, the bins are locked, but someone went down our street one morning and used wire cutters to cut all the locks off everyone’s bins (not sure why — maybe to sell them?). I called the city to let them know.
I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who called. That was two years ago. The city never responded.
Yes, I put my bins out early — I was wrong. But threatening a $1,000 fine? (Both my recycling bin and garbage bin were out, which could fetch a $500 ticket for each cart).
This is all about the money — not the bears.
Jennifer Manning
Coquitlam
