For years we’ve been hearing City of Detroit residents complain about people dumping trash in their neighborhoods. They’ve seen everything from garbage to old cars to old bed springs and mattresses to brush to … well there’s just to mention.
It’s a big deal. Each week, workers from the city’s Department of Public Workers remove more than 500 tons of illegally dumped material across the city. It’s ugly. It destroys neighborhoods, and it’s just plain wrong.
Illegal dumpers can now expect to be on “candid camera.”
Enough is enough. These dumpers can now expect to be on “candid camera.” Determined to get to the root of the problem, the Detroit Police Department has tested hidden cameras in a number of locations where dumping repeatedly reappears after city crews clean them up.
“For too long, people have used our neighborhoods as dumping grounds because they could get away with it,” says Mayor Mike Duggan. “With a lot of things that used to be tolerated in this town, like illegal graffiti, we’re not tolerating people who want to dump in our neighborhoods anymore. We are going to charge them and whenever we can we are going to use existing laws to seize the vehicle they used in this criminal activity.”
The police have already identified alleged illegal dumpers in 25 cases thanks to the cameras.So far, 22 individuals have been charged out of the 37 incidents captured on video based on video evidence and subsequent investigation. Warrants are pending for three more suspects.
And, they are naming names
Leo Tolin, of Detroit and owner of Price is Right movers, was captured on video dumping in northwest Detroit on August 26. A warrant was issued for his arrest and he has been arrested. Armed with a search warrant, investigators also seized his 16-foot white box truck from which he dumped a large box and other debris. He’ll get the truck back once he pays $1560 in blight violations or posts a $1500 bond.
On June 9, three Taylor teenagers were captured on video in a Detroit neighborhood dumping debris from a tree they’d cut down the day before. Each of them was arrested and charged with littering. They’ve pled guilty. The owner of their tree removal business, Jacob Balcewicz, also of Taylor and who directed his employees to do the dumping, has been charged and currently is being sought by police.
On average, costs to the defendant have been $1,000 or more and the city is now seeking restitution from the offenders to recoup the cost of cleaning up their dumped debris
On July 2 and 3, the cameras caught Royal Oak resident Dennis Dantonio when he drove his red Nissan pickup truck into a Detroit neighborhood and dumped debris on multiple occasions. He was charged and pled guilty to littering.
On August 13, Detroit resident Cshakia Augustus allegedly drove her Dodge pickup truck and dumped several mattresses along roadway of a residential neighborhood. Augustus was arrested for littering.
Littering is a 90-day misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and fines beginning at $500. On average, costs to the defendant have been $1,000 or more and the city is now seeking restitution from the offenders to recoup the cost of cleaning up their dumped debris
You can be sure more dumpers will be caught and prosecuted. There are currently more than a dozen cameras installed at frequent dumping locations around the city. By the end of September, Police Chief James Craig says he expects to have dozens of cameras at known dumping locations. The videos will be reviewed daily by staff at the Real Time Crime Center.
The total cost of the cameras is about $75,000, including the monthly cost of $54 for electricity and internet access for each camera.
“Whenever we can, we are going to use technology to our advantage,” says Craig. “We are doing it effectively with Project Green Light and with this initiative we are using video technology to conduct investigations that begin with reports of illegal dumping made to the city through the Improve Detroit app. I believe the Detroit Police Department is going to be the trendsetter for other departments around the country.”
Residents can also play a key role in keeping dumpers out of their neighborhoods. The city’s Improve Detroit app, which lets people report illegal dumpsites, now lets users upload video and images and submit them anonymously to the city.
That is welcome news for Jonathan Pommerville, who for years has video recorded illegal dumpers in the act and posted the videos online.
“This is the kind of issue where everyone in the community needs to do their part,” he says. “I’m thrilled that the city now is using hidden cameras to identify the people who dump in our neighborhoods and is following up with criminal investigations.”
There are several locations in the city where Detroit residents only, with proper identification, take their debris.
Citizen drop-off center locations and hours:
The Davison Yard and Southfield Yard locations accept yard waste only – leaves, grass clippings, and shrubs. These items must be placed in paper biodegradable lawn bags for proper disposal.
Twigs and branches are also accepted. They must be less than 4 ft. long or 2 inches in diameter and placed in a biodegradable bag. Anything above the 2 inches in diameter must be tied and placed at the curb in a bundle, which should be no more than 4 ft. long and weigh no more than 60 lbs. with no limit on the amount of packaged yard waste that can be collected.
Davison Yard – 7901 W. Davison
Open Tuesday – Saturday
Summer hours (April 1 – October 31): 10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
(Closed 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
Winter hours (November 1 – March 31): 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
(Closed 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.)
Southfield Yard – 12255 Southfield Rd.
Open Monday – Saturday
Summer hours (April 1 – October 31): 10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
(Closed 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
Winter hours (November 1 – March 31): 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
(Closed 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
The J. Fons Yard accepts leaves, grass clippings, shrubs, twigs, and branches as well as household garbage, remodeling/construction debris, demolition debris, building material, chemical containers, and car or truck parts. The cost to accept construction/automotive debris and chemical containers is $35.00 per ton with a $40.00 minimum.
Fons Yard – 6451 E. McNichols
Open Monday – Friday
Summer hours (April 1 – October 31): 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
(Closed 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
Saturday
7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Winter hours (November 1 – March 31): 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
(Closed 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
Here’s the bottom line, dumpers. You’re being watched. Don’t drop off your garbage in Detroit neighborhoods.
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