Illegal Dumping Solutions During Pandemic

Used gloves and masks can be seen discarded at grocery store parking lots.  But the worst illegal dumping crimes are committed at parks.  With the stay at home orders throughout the country, some trash pickup and drop off sites have been postponed.  Illegal dumpers are leaving trash in parks and remote areas.  Items left are the usual bulky items of furniture, tires and electronics, which collect water and promote disease of all kinds. This discarded trash is taking up valuable time and resources of the parks and recreation department, who are already stretched due to the COVID-19.

What to do?

Here are tools and resources you and your staff need during this pandemic:

• Barriers: obstacles placed in a strategic place gives the clear communication that this area is not open to the public
• Signs: posted signs give the community clear written rules about areas off limits
• Hot Lines: hot lines involve the community and re-enforce community policing  
• Social Media: Use social media to make the community aware of the illegal activities occurring in the parks
• Illegal Dumping Cameras: Illegal dumping cameras are totally portable and are specifically designed to help stop unwanted activity in parks and remote areas

Give your parks and recreation department the right tools to get the job done!