SIKESTON, Mo. — The Sikeston Department of Public Safety (DPS) has established a litter hot line.

"It is up and operational as we speak," DPS Director Drew Juden said during the regular city council meeting Monday.

The number, 573-475-3737, rings into DPS's 24-hour communication center, according to Juden. In the event dispatchers are busy, the call is routed to voice mail.

The litter hot line was established "in an effort to crack down on littering," according to a Monday DPS news release, and shows "the city of Sikeston takes the problem of littering very seriously."

The news release encourages those who observe a situation that requires police action for littering to immediately call the hot line number to pass along the information. Callers may remain anonymous by calling this number to report littering violations.

Mayor Mike Marshall said he is in favor of the hot line and hopes it will make a positive difference in the community.

"I want to catch these rascals," Marshall said. "I think this hot line is a good idea and one way of slowing [littering] down."