Scavenging From the Trash

I have been reading with much interest all the stories about the great “trash scavenging incident” occurring daily throughout Orange County.

What a sorry commentary it makes on those of us who get scavenged off (the “haves”) and those who scavenge (the “have-nots”). Does it really make a difference to the haves that their trash is rummaged through? I mean after all, it is our garbage. By putting it out at the street, we have indicated that we are through with it--it is trash.

And after all, the Supreme Court has upheld the fact that we give up our right to privacy once we put trash at the curb--any items found in it can be used as evidence against us.

There are two things that really bug me about this whole situation:

* We claim to be in the midst of a trash/landfill crisis--we’re rapidly running out of space to throw our garbage, and even now are opening up state-of-the-art landfills (Bee Canyon) to handle our waste.

* We are in the midst of a social services crisis--there are just too many people who are indigent and homeless for our wealthy Orange County residents to support in shelters, or armories.

I just can’t see why these people who are trying so hard should be punished for helping us (by recycling), and helping themselves by scavenging to pay their own way. Sure, I’ll admit there may be some who cause a mess, and I think they should be warned about their actions. But fined?

Like Chris Maziol (Letter, Jan. 14), I, too, separate my recyclables from the trash. If I can’t recycle, thank heaven someone is out there who is willing to.

CHARLES J. CORPENING

El Toro