East Brunswick Will Start Fining You For Littering Gloves, Masks

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — Stop throwing your used gloves and masks on the ground!

That's the message to the public from East Brunswick police, who said they are sick and tired of seeing used gloves and N95 masks litter the parking lot of the local ShopRite, plus other stores, sidewalks and other public areas.

Starting Wednesday, East Brunswick police will begin specifically looking for people who throw their used gloves and masks on the ground, and will be issuing those people a ticket, with the violation of littering. The fines start at $50, but the penalty for littering can go as high as $2,000.

Many other towns across New Jersey will similarly start fining glove-and-mask litterers this week.

East Brunswick police say they haven't issued any fines yet.

"We are trying to be supportive during this time and start with asking nicely," warned East Brunswick Police Lt. Frank Sutter on Wednesday.

The concern goes beyond just littering, he said: This personal protective equipment carries the very germs that spread the coronavirus. And the person who has to pick up the gloves and masks is now exposed.

"We've noticed a high volume of people discarding their gloves and their N95 masks on the ground," Sutter told News 12. "The people who are actually picking them up can get exposed to the virus, as well."

"Not only is this littering, but it is also reprehensible. This situation is unprecedented, and stressful for everyone, but we shouldn’t allow a virus to change the fact that we are a civilized society," chimed in the North Brunswick police department. "Stay healthy … and decent."

"It is very unfortunate that some people are taking the masks and gloves that they are using to protect themselves and simply throwing them on the ground," he said in a statement. "This is carelessly and selfish and puts others at risk!"