Is it really a felony to go dumpster diving? They were arrested in Colorado. Honestly, sometimes I see something in local dumpsters and walk right up and take it. I don't make it a habit but if I happen to see it I figure 'hey, it's going to the dump, therefor it's up for grabs'.
I live in Massachusetts and I don't know the laws that govern dumpsters. I do know this, our land fill allows 'picking' in various areas. i.e.: computers, metal, magazines, wood, newspaper...
I use to work for the Troy Build company and I was the forklift driver who took trash and dumped it into the dumpster. I coult take all kinds of parts and motors. Anyway, I'm not worried just curious.
Thanx a bunch!
2006-09-01 17:31:49 · 12 answers · asked by md_vito 1 in News & Events ➔ Current Events
Trash, once placed at the curb or in a dumpster is considered abandoned property. This is why the police can search your discarded trash without a warrant. Therefore, I don't see why these men were charged. Perhaps they got them for trespassing if the dumpster itself was on private property. Also, they wouldn't get just six months for a felony. A felony carries a minimum of a year. At least those are the laws in my state and I think they are pretty basic along those lines everywhere.
2006-09-01 18:04:01 · answer #1 · answered by slvrct1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Garbage at the curb is public domain and can be looked at or taken by anybody. Garbage in a dumpster is probably governed by a different set of rules since the land the dumpster is on is private property.
That's the only think I can think of...
2006-09-02 03:51:46 · answer #2 · answered by Michael 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Where I live, if you leave it at the curb, or put it in the dumpster, it's free for the taking. Come on, with everything else going on the authorities are wasting money on charging dumpster divers? Insane.
2006-09-02 01:33:02 · answer #3 · answered by patti duke 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
this surprises me as well. it's common practice here to pick up furniture, etc, left out on someone's curb. no one cares, in fact, it's considered a nice thing because the owners know someone will get good use out of what they didn't want. if one is seen taking the stuff, the owner will wave to them and smile.
i can understand what the first person said about private property. that's a valid point. it's a shame it comes to that, though. i can also see how it's important because of personal papers people throw away.
2006-09-02 00:44:32 · answer #4 · answered by debbie 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ever left receipts or bill stubs unshredded in your garbage can? It is easy to steal a person's identity after diving through trash because you can find the person's SS#, Credit card #, etc. I try to rip up stuff as I should, but sometimes I forget. I'm glad that no one is allowed to go through my trash.
2006-09-02 06:58:01 · answer #5 · answered by DaniLynn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is more to the story Dr Vito, because SRCLVT1 is right on about the debris at the curb being up for public grabs.
2006-09-02 02:39:48 · answer #6 · answered by Sociallyinquisitive 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Dumpster is considered private property so it is technically stealing.
2006-09-02 00:34:36 · answer #7 · answered by Justsyd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can remember when I was a child that taking things to the dump was also shopping day!
2006-09-02 03:24:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, at least instead of getting a meal worth of bad food, now they get 6 months of good food!
I agree, it's pretty much overkill, I don't think that more than a week of community service of something would be needed.
2006-09-02 00:38:32 · answer #9 · answered by sethle99 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WOW.....interesting.
2006-09-02 01:06:20 · answer #10 · answered by null 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋