FlashCAMs are part of an Award-Winning Illegal Trash Dumping Program

The city of Pittsburg, CA won The National League of Cities Municipal Excellence award for their illegal trash dumping program. Pittsburg was one of 3 California cities that won an award. Q-Star is proud to be a partner in the City of Pittsburg’s successful, and now nationally recognized, program.

Pittsburg’s anti-dumping program involves signage, school programs, Code Enforcement, and the use of FlashCAMs. For example, in one trouble spot--a remote cul de sac--trucks and dumpsters were required weekly to clean up illegally dumped items. A FlashCAM was installed and the dumping stopped. The city placed signage around town with a number to call to report illegal dumping. This effort is to complement a brochure that describes the problem, the cost of clean up, and how residents can be part of the solution by reporting when they witness dumping.

The city also promoted a poster and video contest in the local schools. The “Don’t Trash Pittsburg! Pick up litter ~ Recycle bottles, glass, cans & paper” contest winners had their artwork displayed as a poster at local businesses and schools. The video public service announcement was aired on local TV channels. The city believes that changing children’s behavior now will help eliminate the problem when they become adults.

As a result of this comprehensive program, the city has seen a major decline in illegal dumping, graffiti, litter and blight in the community. One measure of success: the city can reassign two employees to other tasks. For more information about Pittsburg’s program, contact Laura Wright at lwright@ci.pittsburg.ca.usThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it.