Santander is processing the first disciplinary proceedings for violating the public cleanliness ordinance.

The city of Santander is already dealing with the first disciplinary proceedings for offenses against the public cleanliness ordinance which, so far, are all related to the deposit of waste outside the containers.

These records are the result of the inspection and control work carried out by the local police, which have been strengthened last year, after completing the awareness campaign developed during March 2016. The environment councilor of Santander, Jose Ignacio Quirós, reiterated in a press release that the main objective of the campaign launched by the city was to “appeal to individual responsibility ” of each citizen to and all residents of Santander who are involved in the task of having a cleaner city.

Therefore, the first phase was information and awareness followed by control and surveillance, which has led to several complaints from the local police which are currently processed in the Department of Environment in order to determine the appropriate sanction. Quiros has insisted that the intention “is not to impose sanctions , but avoid uncivil behavior” and to retrain citizens who violate the ordinance. Therefore, the sanctions “will revert to the benefit of all residents of Santander and visitors ” as they will be used to strengthen actions to improve the cleaning or recovery of degraded areas.

The campaign initiated by the City Council has specially set two areas for improvement: extra large containers for bulky waste and small waste. This is to avoid deposits of waste outside the containers, whose main sources are shops and catering establishments, and also get the sidewalks and pavements clean, free of debris such as gum, paper, cigarette butts, dog droppings , etc.