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Messenger photo by Mike Munden
Kelly McQueen (left) and Nate Sackett unload a pickup truck filled with old paint that London resident Keith Minnick brought to Madison County’s Hazardous Household Waste Collection on May 3. More than 567 cars came through the line at the fair-grounds in London. Among the materials dropped off were 57 propane tanks, 9,000 pounds of oil, 4,000 pounds of anti-freeze, 152 car batteries and over 2,000 tires. This week, the Sheriff’s Office is sponsoring Shred-It Days May 16-17. |
As a preventative measure against identity theft, one of the fastest growing and most difficult crimes to investigate, the Madison County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association is hosting its second annual Madison County Residents Shred-It Days.
On May 16-17, residents can bring their sensitive documents to the Sheriff’s Office operation center at the corner of Elm Street and Garfield Avenue in London, next to the county fairgrounds. The collection hours are 3 to 8 p.m. May 16 and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 17.
“Many people are keeping their records at home instead of throwing them away in the regular trash because they are worried someone is going to get into it,” said Sheriff James P. Sabin. “The Shred-It Days provide folks with an opportunity to safely dispose of this kind of material.”
Last year’s inaugural Shred-It Days were very successful, Sabin said. Many people took advantage of the free service to dispose of their banking records, charge account statements, personal health care documents, outdated wills, and other sensitive information.
“We filled one of the large shred-it trucks. We anticipate we will do the same if not more this year,” he said.
The collection organizers ask that participants package their documents in manageable cardboard boxes or paper sacks. They will not accept plastic, binders, hard bound books or metal products. (Staples and paper clips are acceptable.)
Items collected on Friday will be secured at the operation center overnight. Industrial shredding trucks will shred all documents on Saturday.
“Residents can request that they be able to physically watch their box or bag of material go into the truck and be shredded. If they want to do this, they have to come on Saturday,” Sabin said.
All shredded materials will be recycled, rather than going to a landfill.
The Madison County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association is a non-profit organization that provides volunteer law enforcement services and equipment to aid in operations at the Sheriff’s Office. The group also supports activities, families, and other causes in the community.
Donations will be accepted to offset the cost of providing the shredding services. The event is co-sponsored by Madison County Litter Control and the North Central Solid Waste District.
