Atherton Looks Into Trash Can Fines

ATHERTON (KCBS) _ The affluent Peninsula town of Atherton may begin fining residents who leave their trash cans on the curb too long.

Garbage piling up in front of the multi-million dollar homes in Atherton may be turning a few heads, but doesn't seem to be a huge problem for most residents.

"It's not like you see a couch sitting on the street for more than 24 hours," said one resident. "Garbage beyond garbage, you don't see that much around here."

KCBS' Matt Bigler Reports:

Many residents said fining people for leaving their cans out for more than 24 hours, like the law recently passed in San Francisco, was a bit much.

But Atherton Mayor Jim Dobbie said he has received complaints from residents who noticed garbage cans being left out indefinitely, sometimes knocked over and said he would support an ordinance fining people for the offense.

"In Atherton, we like to keep the town clean and tidy and that would be one item that would receive consideration," Dobbie said.

He said it's not likely that any proposals will come up for debate until a new town manager is in place.

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