Illegal Dumping Ignites Fires

Illegal Dumping Ignites Fires

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Illegal Dumping Ignites Fires In the year 2019, there were 50,477 wildfires reported in the United States. It is hard to predict when fire disasters will occur, but they can be prevented. According to the Insurance Information Institute, 90% of the fires are started by people through negligence. An unattended campfire or a downed power line can cause a fire, but did you know that illegal dumping can also cause fires?  One of the biggest causes of fire is piles of garbage in dry, hot areas. When trash is not discarded properly, it can cause fires. Illegal dumping of tires causes the worst type of fires, as the oil within the tires once ignited is hard to put out. And according to the EPA, tire fires cause toxic gases and hazardous compounds that pollute our environment.  It is important that the officials of our communities do everything they can to prevent illegal dumping. Here are some suggestions:

  • Staff Resources: Staff that is specially trained and dedicated in preventing illegal dumping. Besides responding and investigating complaints and prosecuting, this includes educating the public.
  • Educate: Use Billboards, Social Media, and News Outlets to get the word out to Educate your community. Talk about the dangers of illegal dumping and the consequences both environmentally and individually.
  • Provide Hot lines: Hot lines are a very resourceful tool that every city should have available.  When a citizen sees an act of illegal dumping, they can call, text or email information to the Enforcers.
  • Legislation: Every city needs laws and fines to enforce the battle against illegal dumping
  • Tools:  Illegal dumping cameras.  These cameras are specifically designed to provide prosecutable evidence needed in the war against illegal dumping.

When measures are taken to prevent illegal dumping, we can prevent fires. It is time to start taking illegal dumping seriously.

Keeping Parks Safe During School Vacations

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Resources Needed to Combat Illegal-Dumping

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Los Angeles City calls for non-profit agencies to step-up and help combat its Illegal Dumping and litter crisis, which has grown to measures described by many as an “out-of-control” problem. City Officer Miguel Santana is stepping out and asking for resources to fight the war on Illegal-Dumping in Los Angeles.

A hefty handful of cities, especially the larger cities such as Los Angeles, New York and Chicago, are in dire need of warriors and assets that are ready for this battle on illegal dumping. However, an army of civilians is as good as none, if they go without the resources to help them gain the upper hand. This is an issue that can financially sink a city if the proper resource plan is not instigated wisely.

An imperative resource in helping any city combat illegal-dumping is education.
Keep the public educated on littering and illegal trash dumping. Many civilians are simply unaware of all the laws involved on what exactly is considered illegal dumping. Another concern that needs to be addressed is the lack of knowledge many city residents have on exactly where to dump their trash legally. Educating the public is where non-profits need to step in and lend a hand to the city.

Another important resource is the extra eye. Metropolitan residents may pose useful, becoming an extra eye in their vicinity if they are encouraged to report the litterbugs. The watchful public can help by taking down license plate numbers of someone they see illegally dumping materials from their car. If they are able to film or capture the crime with the camera on their phone, as well as capture the suspect’s license plate number, this serves as possible evidence and can be used to prosecute illegal trash dumping in court. Self-powered, covert cameras designed to capture license plates are also available to serve as an eye in the sky and can be especially useful in less trafficked areas.

A Third vital resource is the city’s ordinances. If the city’s ordinates against illegal-dumping include a heavy fine, it actually functions as two purposes. One, it will better ensure that the impulsive litterbug will think twice before illegally dumping their trash again. Two, the city may use the paid fine as a financial aid to further their illegal-dumping resources, maybe even adding revenue to the city budget.

If the great City of Angels is calling for extra means to fight their growing illegal-dumping catastrophe, chances are they aren’t alone. Cities must find the funds to combat and deter their illegal-dumping nuisance crimes and provide every necessary resource, before their own city issue grows out of control.

Illegally Trespassing All-Terrain Vehicles— a Crime that Hurts Many

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All-Terrain Vehicle riding is a fun and enjoyable experience.  Most riders are respectful of the laws regarding ATV riding, but some are not.  ATV riding in places prohibited is Illegal Trespassing.  It is a crime that hurts many and in many ways that are not obvious.

 

The Illegal Trespassing of ATVs is an ongoing nuisance for city Parks & Recreation Departments, costing them a plethora of resources.  Manpower is needed to repair the environmental destruction, security officers are hired for hours on end to patrol the landscape, and the police department is called to report the crimes and identify the trespassers.  According to the Department of Natural Resources in an article by the StarTribune, the expenses cost $450,000 in just a few years.

 

In addition to the rising costs of damages to the city caused by the Illegal Trespassing of ATVs, homeowners with land are not a stranger to this growing problem, according to one landowner who brought this to the attention of CBC news. Wildlife habitats are also harmed by a trespassing ATV carelessly riding over their homes and destroying their fragile ecosystems.  In addition to all of this, the community water resources are polluted if an ATV decides to illegally cruise along the water supplies!

 

Furthermore, budgets for damages are not the only pains caused by ATV trespassers that city organizations need to worry about.  A simple budget of $100,000 for ATV trespassers could quickly turn into several medical expenses added to the overall cost.   For instance, a CantoRep.com article states a security guard working for Osnabug Township had to remain in the hospital while suffering from severe road rash, after being dragged by an illegally trespassing ATV.

 

The Illegal Trespassers may not understand the damage and hurt they cause.  If people do not understand the problem, how can City Parks and Recreation Departments prevent this crime that hurts many?