New Canaan Considers Cameras To Catch Pooper Scooping Violators

NEW CANAAN, CT — Officials in New Canaan are considering installing hidden cameras at town-owned Irwin Park to catch dog owners who neglect to clean up after their dog leaves behind a stinky little reminder, writes the Connecticut Post.

The problem of left-behind poop has been, er, piling up for some time, and earlier this week the town's Animal Control Allyson Halm handed out the first infraction to a dog owner - from New York - who didn't clean up after her dog. The ticket carries a fine approaching $150.

Parks and Recreation Commission members have met with New Canaan Police Chief Leon Krolikowski about the problem, and the department promises that for the time being it will step up enforcement at the park to catch such scofflaws, writes the New Canaan Advertiser.

Additionally, Halm is in the park regularly and people who spot a violator can report them to her.

In recent weeks, a "shaming" initiative was launched, to marginal effect, in which volunteers placed little yellow flags next to a poo pile with "Shame on you" written on them. That seemed to be working until Good Friday when the park was covered with more than 75 flags, and several other piles going unflagged.

If the town moves ahead with the plan to add cameras, they would be installed in the field - trained on the parking lot and other areas - and in hidden spots along the park's path.

According to the Advertiser, Krolikowski says that if cameras are installed, tickets can be mailed out to violators after the fact.

Click here to read the full story on the Connecticut Post website, and click here to read it on the New Canaan Advertiser site.

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