It's not too hard to keep an area relatively clean so that bacteria and pests don't make it a smorgasbord. Most of us who've been camping a few days know how important it is to police the grounds, put garbage in proper receptacles, and make sure that food is stored to prevent spoilage.

These small but vital chores seem to be beyond the abilities of the OWS protestors who would apparently prefer smoking dope and making meaningless gestures than keeping their camp clean.

New York Post:

Close this pigpen!

Filth-ridden Zuccotti Park is a breeding ground for bacterial infection loaded with potential health-code violations that pose a major risk to the public, an expert who inspected the area warned.

"It's like Walmart for rats,'' Wayne Yon, an expert on city health regulations, said yesterday.

"There's a lack of sanitation, a lack of controls for hot and cold water," Yon said. He saw at least 15 violations of the city's health code -- the type that would easily shut down a food establishment.

He noted the lack of lavatory facilities, as neighbors repeatedly complain about protesters defecating in the area and the stench of urine.

Yon also pointed to unsanitary conditions in wash bins for cleaning food utensils.

"It looks extraordinarily dirty, and [the bin] should be changed once it starts to get dirty," said Yon, who works for EHA Consulting Group Inc. Then he pointed to a pigeon in a tree right above where the protesters were washing dishes.

"There's no overhead coverings. Pigeons are basically vermin," Yon said.

I hate to point out the obvious but setting up a privy is ridiculously easy - and cheap. Instead of spending money buying dope, why not spend a little to buy some lye? Designate an area, dig a few trenches, and the problem - with generous spreading of lye or some other disinfectant - would be solved. Putting up a few blankets for privacy takes about 10 minutes. The whole operation - with a little determination and organization - could be completed in about an hour. Details to regularly attend to the burying of waste and spreading of disinfectant would have to be formed, but that too, is a snap. In their leaderless commune, everyone takes their turn attending to the clean up.

As for the rest, buying a few boxes of garbage bags could at least get the food and other waste off the ground.

The point is, they're hardly trying to keep their encampment neat and orderly. For that reason alone, they should be arrested as promoting a health hazard.