Looters continue to cost taxpayers thousands of dollars in transfer station maintenance.

Yellowhead County is urging residents to be cautious around transfer sites and to report suspicious activity—including looting or vandalism—to the RCMP. If you are able to safely make note of suspicious persons’ physical description or vehicle identification (including license plate) for reporting, please provide that information when you call 9-1-1.

Each year Yellowhead County and its waste contractor spend an ever-increasing amount of money and resources dealing with the results of scavenging, theft, vandalism, and improper dumping at our transfer stations. This year, the cost to taxpayers for transfer station repairs has reached some $45,000. The county has even had to battle numerous fires at the stations, presumed to be the work of arsonists.

As a result, enforcement personnel will be visiting these stations at all hours of the day. There is no access to Yellowhead County transfer stations outside of posted hours and persons found violating this may be dealt with under the Petty Trespass Act.

Those found trespassing may be subject to a $500.00 violation ticket. Dependent on severity and if the offence is repeated, persons could also face court summons with fines ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 and up to 6 months in jail.

Any corporation involved in a trespass under the Petty Trespass Act could face up to $200,000 in fines.

Yellowhead County encourages all visitors to transfer stations to obey the posted hours of the sites and follow the directions of the site attendant. Hours are posted at each site and can also be found online or by phoning 780-723-4800.