ATLANTA — A sanitation worker in Georgia is headed to jail for starting work too early. Kevin McGill started picking up trash around 5 a.m. and was cited for violating a city ordinance. The ordinance limits trash pick up to between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. McGill had only been working with the contractor for a few months when he was cited. When he showed up to court, the prosecutor sought the 30-day maximum punishment.
“Fines don’t seem to work,” the prosecutor told WSB. “The only thing that seems to stop the activity is actually going to jail.”
Another sanitation worker received the same 30-day sentence last year. The prosecutor said the statute is in place to prevent residents from complaining about the noise waking them up too early. McGill began serving his 30-day sentence last week.
“I just want this to be over with,” McGill told WSB. “I’m away from my family, my wife, and she’s got to take care of the two little boys and I have four dogs.”
McGill’s lawyer said she believes the sentence is too harsh.
“Give him a warning,” Kimberly Bandoh told WSB. “I mean he’s the employee. He’s not the employer.”
The prosecutor said it’s McGill’s responsibility to only operate the truck during allowed hours.
