Hermosa Beach considers ban on trash scavenging

HERMOSA BEACH, Calif. (FOX 11) - Hermosa Beach is considering putting regulations on trash scavengers who dumpster-dive.

A public hearing on Tuesday night has council members deciding whether or not to ban people from taking things, such as recyclables, out of the city's trash cans and recycling containers.

The City Council is considering charging violators with a misdemeanor criminal offense.

The anti-scavenging law is aimed at keeping things cleaner and keeping the reimbursement funds for recyclables in the city's pockets.

But opponents say it could hurt homeless people who may be looking for food they could pull out of the trash.

The potential ban comes at a time when other things are being restricted in the community including e-cigarettes and short-term rentals through sites like Airbnb and VRBO.

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