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Los Angeles Illegal Dumping

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.

 

 

 

Waste and littering

Budgeting for Proactive Illegal Dumping Programs

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Illegal dumping is a type of theft that robs the very land, nature and resources from the community.  Trash left behind kills wildlife and suffocates our forests and our air; it ravages the cities’ water supplies and piles up on every corner.  It burdens companies and homeowners, driving them into debt as they are forced to address the trash left on their property.  It keeps many cities and police departments, large and small, scrambling on how to track down the next move of the litterbugs.  It is costing municipalities millions each year to tame this out of control nuisance.

There are proactive programs available to secure maintenance and deterrence for the illegal dumping offense.  However, how does a company, homeowner, or city find the resource of finances to equip them with this necessary line of defense?

Think of budgeting for a program to fight illegal waste as more of an investment than an expense.  As with any investment, one must weigh the pros and the cons.   One pro to reflect on is if the program’s advantage is to create a deterrent for illegal dumping, the cost may end there, if  the solution gives the tools you need to halt the issue.  Many cities have even found a well thought out program can generate revenue.

Evaluate the cost it will take to invest in an illegal dumping program vs. the price you pay battling the dumping problem without assistance.  Remember to add the newly generated revenue from fines and work out the budget for the year. If the problem turns out to be costing more money than a solution, maybe it’s time to consider extra help. By budgeting for a lending hand in combatting the pesky litterbugs, you will end up spending less money and time on illegal dumping and be able to save your budget for the sweeter, less smelly, endeavors this year.

Scrapyard

Illegal Dumping Crisis Keeping Cities in Debt

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There are massive, public complaints about illegal-dump sites, community eyesores lowering property values, all over the country. A lot of cities experience vicious dumping cycles in known targeted areas. Due to the sites usually being remote, these sites create huge challenges, especially in the city’s budget. Unfortunately, a city’s resources, which is already limited, must now be used to clean up and install methods to prevent the Illegal dumping problem.

Illegal dumping, also known as “fly-tipping”, wreaks tremendous havoc on the city government pocketbook. Oakland, for example, has an illegal trash catastrophe that is costing more than 5-million dollars per year.

In addition to the obvious costs,  an illegal dump site can cause a concern that the sites are forming a hazardous environment.  Hazardous materials and chemicals illegally disposed may leak dangerous toxins, which are poisonous to both people and wildlife.  Another fact to note is this environment of waste-piles increase the risk of fires, according to the Hall County Board of Commissioners. This could be caused by the glass or the pollutants which could be flammable.

The threat of illegal trash spots causing a fire hazard should be a high concern to cities.  A fire started due to an illegal dumping problem may cause damage that will cost a city an immense amount of distress and resources, which further puts a city in debt. Fires caused by illegal-dumping is costing many cities millions.  Imagine the arduous work and resources that are required for restoration because  of damage caused by an abundant fire.

Another financial nuisance to take note of, is how a small illegal-dumping location may turn into a larger open-dump site, leading to an even bigger strain on a city budget. Just a few, small molehills can quickly turn into mountains of moles if they aren’t exterminated in a timely fashion. Likewise, illegal dumping is dangerous and costly if not stopped in time. It is therefore wise to take advantage of every preventative measure possible to keep these nuisances from growing out of control and from stealing the cities’ financial resources.

Garbage

Illegal Dumping – Breeding Mosquitoes

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Illegal dumping sites are a breeding ground for all kinds of diseases and mosquitoes.  In addition to rodents and the microscopic organisms, there are the disease carrying insects.  These creatures enter into the human domain, carrying with them their diseases, or become infected after biting a disease carrying source.  Some diseases transmitted by the mosquito in North America are Malaria, West Nile Virus, Encephalitis, and the most recent scare, Zika Fever.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, Mosquitoes require water to undergo their life cycle.  The four stages of life, hatching from an egg to becoming an adult flying insect, can take anywhere from 4 days to a few months, depending on the temperature and other environmental factors.  The female flying insect then searches for a blood meal, which can be an animal or a human.  After feeding, the female mosquito lays the eggs on or near water.

According to The American Mosquito Control Association, AMCA, a nonprofit organization that provides information and education to help communities suppress the mosquito population,  many mosquito problems in your neighborhoods are likely to come from water filled containers.

Now, imagine the unintended containers left at an illegal dump site.  Just to name a few, there are tires, mattresses, and toys.  Left unattended these articles accumulate more than enough stagnate water to attract and breed mosquitoes.

With the large amounts of rain and snow most cities have experienced this winter and spring, there is a lot of standing water.  And there are a lot of Illegal Dumping Sites.  Therefore, the probability of pestilence is high this year.

Illegal Dumping is a problem cities should take seriously. Thankfully, most people dispose of their trash in a responsible way.  However, there are some who do not, and the rest of the population is counting on the cities to do everything they can to prevent the  mosquito borne diseases that are plaguing the communities.  What is your city doing to prevent illegal dumping, the mosquito breeding grounds?