VietNamNet Bridge – The authorities of District 1, HCM City, have kicked off a campaign to detect and punish those who urinatein public sites in the downtown area.

A motorbike taxi driver was detected to pee on the road. Photo VNE

The campaign was launched in early March. So far at least 36 cases have been reported and 28 people fined. The remaining violators had to pledge not to repeat the act again.

"For the first offense, the fine is VND200,000 (49) and it rises to VND300,000 ($14) for the second time. The violator must pay the fine at the state treasury within 10 days," said a local official named Phan Trong Hung.

Hung said the violators were manual workers, office workers, and taxi drivers. Most of them felt ashamed upon being detected. They paid fine, apologized and promised not to repeat the wrong act.

The violators had to clean the sites.

A taxi driver signs a paper on his violation. 

Photos: Zing/VNE

"We will take drastic measures to ensure street sanitation in the downtown area. Our staff are equipped with specialized cameras to take photos as evidence for imposing sanctions on violators," Hung said.

In addition to urination at public sites, discharging rubbish and smoking in public sites will also be fined, with VND400,000 ($20).

District 1 currently has 23 public toilets. The district is building three more modern public toilets.

Le Ha