Doña Ana County code officer warns drivers to secure loads, cites ordinance and penalties

Officer Rodriguez, a Doña Ana County code enforcement officer, stopped a driver and warned that unsecured loads that scatter solid waste onto roadways can cause accidents and violate county law.

Rodriguez said the county ordinance 287-3(c) — which he described as setting out “prohibited acts” — can carry penalties he summarized as a fine up to $300 or up to 90 days in jail. He told the driver the encounter was intended to educate and reduce hazards from material falling from trucks.

“All you're gonna do is secure your load whether it's a mesh net, it could be a tarp, it could be anything that can just help you secure the load,” Rodriguez said, urging motorists to strap down branches and other material to keep it from falling onto roadways.

Rodriguez told the driver that loose material had struck his vehicle’s hood and that scattering solid waste is a separate charge under the county ordinance. He also said the county will provide a QR code linking to its website where residents can report illegal dumping.

The exchange was instructional rather than enforcement-focused: Rodriguez framed the contact as education and a request that motorists “do our part to keep our county clean.”