In a coordinated effort, the Police Department and a few local churches initiated a new program designed to get gum off the streets.
It is often very difficult to catch offenders in the act of spitting out their gum on the sidewalk, plastering it on park benches, leaving it under tables, et cetera. Through the new program, it is hoped that an incentive will be created to get people to dispose of their gum properly.
“Sure, people can just throw it out in the garbage – but even that may prove to be a hardship for some. Plus, there’s no monetary benefit to doing that,” said one local pastor.
As part of the new program, when they are done with their gum, gum chewers can report to either the police department or one of several churches in the city. Once there, they will be asked to spit out their gum and hand it over to the appropriate authorities. After filling out a simple form, they will be provided with a voucher worth $5 dollars, redeemable at any local convenience store where they can use it towards the purchase of anything, except gum.
“We are trying to discourage recidivism, which is why we do not permit them to purchase gum with the vouchers,” said one of the program’s directors.
“So far, it’s been a great success. Some have expressed concerns about the cost of the program, but to be fair, it is only a drop in the bucket compared to what it would cost to prosecute all these offenders,” said a program spokesman.
“We are seeing a lot less gum on the streets and the sidewalks and under park benches,” he added.
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