Turning Butts Into Bucks in Santa Monica

Thanks to unclear signage on cigarette receptacles at the Santa Monica Pier (smoking was banned on the tourist attraction months ago), people are dumping change into the boxes, reports the Santa Monica Daily Press. The metal receptacles read "Save the Pier, Deposit Here" with the message of dumping cigarette butts in smaller font, leading some people to toss their loose change into the boxes--over $80 has been allegedly found. It's kind of murky as to where the money is ending up; a board member of the Pier Restoration Corp. thinks maintenance crews are keeping the change, though that begs the question--how would the PRC even know about the windfall? Interesting. [SMDP]