Inmates begin cleaning up roads
By John Joyce
Published in News on April 28, 2014 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/BOBBY WILLIAMS
Wayne County Sheriff deputy, Cpl, William Kates Jr. and deputy Ronnie Barnes watch over three of the inmates Wednesday morning as they pick up trash along Old Kenly Road.
Wayne County Sheriff Larry Pierce says it is time to clean up Wayne County.
Wayne County Jail inmates, along with residents sentenced to perform community service hours, will soon be rotating to areas throughout the county picking up trash along the highways and main thoroughfares.
The program kicked off this week with inmates cleaning roadside in the area of Nahunta Pork Center, Old Kenly Road and N.C. 581.
"We are giving them a little bit of practice with setting up the signs and seeing how things will operate," Pierce said.
The tentative plan is for crews to work weekdays, Tuesday through Friday, until about 12 p.m. each afternoon, he said.
"Right now we are working out the logistics," Pierce said.
Funding for the clean-up program comes from a surplus of funds to be used at the sheriff's discretion, Pierce said.
The fund draws from concealed weapons permits, fingerprinting, and other collected fees.
"We're currently using a van we've already got from our jail, but will be using vehicles that come out of service as we get new ones later," Pierce said.
The inmates are not being paid, but are considered trustees who have earned the opportunity through good behavior.
Those assigned to community service will receive credit toward their assigned hours, Pierce said.
According to the N.C. Department of Transportation Roadside Environmental Unit, a person found guilty of littering in an amount less than 15 pounds can be fined up to $100 and sentenced to between four to 12 hours of community service.
A second offense will be met with a $200 fine.