Old San Juan businesses fined for solid waste violations

The intervention followed a citizen complaint received through social media, which was corroborated by San Juan Municipal Police officers on site.

By THE STAR STAFF

San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo said Monday that municipal police officers issued fines to businesses in Old San Juan for violations of the Public Order Code related to the improper handling and disposal of solid waste.

The intervention followed a citizen complaint received through social media, which was corroborated by officers on site.

“In San Juan, we will not tolerate conduct that threatens order, cleanliness, and respect for public spaces,” the mayor said. “Business owners have been informed, they know the law, and they have a responsibility to comply. The message is clear: non-compliance will have consequences.”

Early Monday morning, police officers intervened at the businesses Mono Stereo and La Factoría, both on San Sebastián Street. Upon arrival, officers confirmed that employees of the businesses were depositing trash on the ground, outside of the designated containers, which were empty at the time of the intervention. It should be noted that the businesses had previously received guidance from personnel of the San Juan Municipal Department of Public Works on the proper handling and storage of waste. The guidance was part of ongoing preventative efforts by the municipal administration to ensure compliance with the Public Order Code.

The fines issued totaled $250 per business, and the violations were duly documented using the officers’ body cameras. The operation was supervised by San Juan Municipal Police Commissioner Juan Jackson.

“The Municipal Police act immediately upon citizen complaints and enforce the Public Order Code according to the law,” Jackson said. “Our officers document violations and conduct ongoing inspections to prevent conduct that negatively affects order, cleanliness, and public order in the capital city.”