Garbage Picking A-OK in Birmingham

A reader recently asked on the Birmingham Patch Facebook page whether Birmingham has an ordinance similar to the one recently highlighted by Royal Oak Patch about that city's stance prohibiting scavengers. 

The answer is mixed. While the city has no ordinance prohibiting trash pickers, it does have an ordinance against taking recyclables, spokeswoman Marianne Gamboa said.

"Recyclables and bundled and securely tied newspapers, when placed in the vicinity of the lawn extension for collection with the normal refuse pickup, shall become the property of the city," the ordinance reads.

Deputy Police Chief Mark Clemence said the department receives some complaints about trash picking, and treats calls on scavengers on an individual basis. There are seldom incidents or safety concerns. 

"We do run across it time from time, but the city does not prohibit scavengers and as long as they stay off of the driveway and private property, it's not an issue," he said.

Clemence, who said he worked on midnight shifts for 17 years, said the majority of scavengers are looking for metals to sell and, in general, pleasant.

Do you see scavengers on garbage day and does the city need an ordinance? Tell us in the comments.