Anger from customers continues to be an issue at the Salmon Arm Landfill and police are recommending assault charges following the latest instance of violence.
For the second time in three months, attendant Debbie Dystant has been injured on the job by a customer expressing his anger over the 4 p.m. closing.
According to an RCMP report, at about 4:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24, a customer became irate when told he could not dump his garbage. He then rammed the gate, causing it to swing open.
“The gate struck the attendant in the head, causing her to lose consciousness,” says the report from Staff Sgt. Kevin Keane. “A 57-year-old Salmon Arm man was arrested, and police are recommending a charge of assault with a weapon.”
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District, which operates the landfill, has responded by sending a letter advising the man he will be banned for one year. As well, before he can drive onto the site, he will have to pay tipping fees for the garbage he dumped illegally last week.
“My understanding was she told him not to dump, he didn’t get weighed, he dumped anyway, and on his way out, he hit the gate,” says Ben Van Nostrand, CSRD waste management co-ordinator. “It was a pretty bad injury, she’s recuperating and there’s no word on whether she’s going to return.”
Over the past three years, Dystant has been sworn at and had angry customers attempt to run her down. But, while she was vocal about her previous experiences, she has hired a lawyer following this latest incident and did not comment. In November, another irate customer sprayed Dystant with gravel by peeling his tires, which bruised her legs and ruined her eyeglasses in the process. At that time, Van Nostrand said the regional district has been working on an illegal dumping strategy, a plan that addresses some safety and access issues and could include beefed-up enforcement. Van Nostrand says landfill operator Craig Hillson has advised attendants on safety procedures and is looking at posting someone at the gate at closing time.
“We support this,” Van Nostrand says, noting landfill staff will be advised not to argue with dissatisfied customers, but refer them to the regional district for handling. “I’ve never worked at a landfill but have inspected many with my former Ministry of Environment position. And I’ve never heard of this before.”