TRASH IN THE LANDSCAPE A.V. URGED TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL DUMPING.Byline: GIDEON RUBIN Staff Writer PALMDALE -- Surrounded by pristine snowcapped mountains and amid boundless open space, an upside down wooden camper shell A camper shell, sometimes known as a topper or cap, is a small housing or rigid canopy used as a pickup truck accessory. The housing is usually made of fiberglass or aluminum, and is mounted atop the pickup truck's rear bed. sits amid a random collection of trash that includes rusted paint cans, broken children's toys and empty television casings. What looks to be the living conditions living conditions npl → condiciones fpl de vida living conditions npl → conditions fpl de vie living conditions living of some remote developing country currently exists in the Antelope Valley's backyard in an undeveloped portion on the edge of east Palmdale on a dirt road dirt road n (US) → camino sin firme dirt road n → chemin non macadamisé or non revêtu dirt road dirt n near 110th Street East and Avenue Q. The scene repeats itself across the rural desert floor between the Antelope and Victor valleys, where the vast space makes it extremely difficult for already stretched law enforcement agencies A law enforcement agency (LEA) is a term used to describe any agency which enforces the law. This may be a local or state police, federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). in fast-growing areas to grapple with to enter into contest with, resolutely and courageously. See also: Grapple urban problems. Despite the inherit challenges, a campaign is aimed at ridding such regions of illegal dumping. A public service announcement by county Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich Michael Dennis Antonovich (born 1939 in Los Angeles, California) is a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors representing the Fifth District, which covers northern Los Angeles County, the Antelope, Santa Clarita, Pasadena, and parts of the San Fernando and San , which now appears on local television channels, is encouraging people to take action. ``Absolutely disgusting,'' said Norm Hickling, an Antonovich aide who reviewed the east Palmdale site brought to his attention by the Daily News. Such sites aren't just an eyesore eye·sore n. Something, such as a distressed building, that is unpleasant or offensive to view. eyesore Noun something very ugly Noun 1. , according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Hickling, noting that some of the discarded materials are potential environmental hazards, imperiling wildlife as well the Antelope Valley's water supply in underground rivers. ``It's personal,'' Hickling said. ``It's personal to the supervisor, it's personal to the elected officials that we deal with and it's personal to everyone who lives in the Antelope Valley.'' Hickling said the problem is especially perplexing per·plex tr.v. per·plexed, per·plex·ing, per·plex·es 1. To confuse or trouble with uncertainty or doubt. See Synonyms at puzzle. 2. To make confusedly intricate; complicate. , because most of the material dumped at such sites can be disposed of for free, or at minimal cost. Signs posted near the east Palmdale site warn of $1,000 fines for littering. Additionally, vehicles involved in the commission of such crimes can be seized by law enforcement officials. Antonovich has publicly expressed concern about the problem for years. He was instrumental in establishing the Antelope Valley Illegal Dumping Task Force 10 years ago, Hickling said. Last year, a hotline to report dumpers was established. ``These are very serious crimes,'' Hickling said. Such sites are sometimes the scene of major crimes. Law enforcement officials said a fatal shooting victim was found in a car trunk near the east Palmdale site. ``It seems like any time you find an open road out here you're going to find stuff dumped all over it,'' sheriff's Deputy Kevin Pearcy said. gideon.rubin@dailynews.com (661) 267-7802 CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1) Norm Hinkling, aide to county Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, looks at sofas at an illegal dumping site in the desert near Avenue Q and 110th Street East in Littlerock on Tuesday. (2) Trash was illegally dumped in the desert in Littlerock. Signs posted near the east Palmdale site warn of $1,000 fines for littering. Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer |
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