The city is forming a specialized unit dedicated to eliminating illegal dumping across the city effective Nov. 3, targeting one of the most persistent quality-of-life issues affecting residents.
The Illegal Dumping Task Force will use proactive surveillance, rapid response cleanup, and stringent enforcement to deter offenders, city officials said in a press release. It also will use data analysis and resident reporting to identify and monitor illegal dumping hot spots.
“By tackling illegal dumping head-on, we are investing in the well-being of our communities and building a city …
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The city is forming a specialized unit dedicated to eliminating illegal dumping across the city effective Nov. 3, targeting one of the most persistent quality-of-life issues affecting residents.
The Illegal Dumping Task Force will use proactive surveillance, rapid response cleanup, and stringent enforcement to deter offenders, city officials said in a press release. It also will use data analysis and resident reporting to identify and monitor illegal dumping hot spots.
“By tackling illegal dumping head-on, we are investing in the well-being of our communities and building a city where every resident can take pride in their neighborhood,” Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said.
The Office of Clean and Green Initiatives worked with City Council and the Law Department to expand legislation to hold illegal dumping perpetrators accountable. City Council amended current law to broaden the definition of short dumping to cover more violations, and to revise the penalties and remedies. This allows the City to seek higher civil penalties including increased fines and the cost of cleanups, according to the press release.
Key portions of the legislation also make the person hiring the dumpers liable, and increase fines for illegal dumping to $2,000 per item, per instance, if dumped without a vehicle and $5,000 per item, per instance, if dumped with a vehicle.
The Streets Department is installing surveillance cameras to aid in the capturing and prosecuting of offenders, and the recent legislation authorizes the Philadelphia Parking Authority to impound vehicles caught dumping, according to the press release.
While criminal prosecutions have long been a tool in fighting illegal dumping, it required a high burden of proof and resources stretched in many areas. The new process places the burden of proof on the dumpers and allows for stiffer penalties. The city said it will work closely with quasi-governmental agencies, community groups, and local stakeholders.
“The creation of the Illegal Dumping Task Force is a clear statement that we will not tolerate the defacement of our neighborhoods,” said Carlton Williams, director of the Office of Clean and Green Initiatives. “Our goal is to move beyond reactive cleanups to utilizing strategic and coordinated efforts to hold dumpers accountable and establish a proactive system that prevents dumping before it happens.”
