City of Columbus and Central Ohio Crime Stoppers Partner to Catch Illegal Dumpers
The City of Columbus and Central Ohio Crime Stoppers are seeking
the community’s help in identifying suspected illegal dumpers caught on camera.
The partnership is another enforcement tool in Mayor Andrew J. Ginther’s Clean
Neighborhoods initiative to hold offenders accountable for dumping trash and
debris in city alleys.
“Since we launched Clean Neighborhoods, the city has
committed more resources to refuse crews and equipment for alley cleanups, expanded
our Solid Waste Investigator Team and added several tools to fight illegal
dumping,” said Mayor Ginther. “By partnering with Crime Stoppers, we are adding
yet another enforcement tool and sending the clear message that illegal dumping
will not be tolerated in Columbus neighborhoods.”
When residents see an illegal dumping site, or see someone
dumping construction debris or other items not acceptable in city residential
trash containers, they should report it to the city’s 311 Service Center. If
possible, take a photo while the dumping is occurring or try to get a suspect
description, vehicle description and/or license plate information. The city
will share photos of suspected dumping offenders with Central Ohio Crime
Stoppers so that residents can assist in identifying dumpers and holding them
accountable.
Residents who recognize photos of illegal dumping suspects
posted by Crime Stoppers can provide anonymous tips and may receive a reward
for their assistance. Offenders may be criminally charged and/or cited for
civil violations for illegal dumping in Columbus.
“I am thrilled that Central Ohio Crime Stoppers is
partnering with the city’s Division of Refuse Collection to fight illegal
dumping activity,” said Central Ohio Crime Stoppers President Napoleon Bell.
“Crime Stoppers is committed to the mayor’s Clean Neighborhoods initiative and
will highlight illegal dumpers in our efforts to end littering in our alleys
and roadways.”
Five solid-waste investigators in the Division of Refuse
Collection work with the City Attorney’s Office to build cases and file illegal
dumping charges in Franklin County Municipal Court. The number of charges filed
and convictions earned has been increasing each year, and the partnership with
Crime Stoppers is expected to lead to more dumping convictions and fines as
well as restitution paid.
“The City Attorney’s Office is committed to holding
accountable those who turn our neighborhoods into dumping grounds through
aggressive prosecution,” said Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein. “The partnership
the city is announcing will only strengthen enforcement, promote accountability
and further deter illegal dumpers from disrupting the quality of life in
Columbus neighborhoods.”
The mayor’s 2022 operating budget provides funding for three
additional rear-loader refuse trucks for alley cleanups, and topping off
300-gallon containers to help reduce dumping and limit spillover litter.
“The Department of Public Service and our Refuse Collection
crews appreciate the support of Mayor Ginther and City Council as we are in our
neighborhoods every day to clean up trash that has been illegally dumped,” said
Public Service Director Jennifer L. Gallagher. “Our crews have rolled up their
sleeves and cleaned up almost 18,000 tons of illegally dumped trash and almost
14,000 tires in three years.”
“The
collaboration between Central Ohio Crime Stoppers and the Division of Refuse
Collection is one of many critical relationships needed to crack down on
illegal dumpers and other bad actors,” said Councilmember Emmanuel V.
Remy. “We are serious about addressing illegal dumping, and I hope this
new collaboration becomes the resource Columbus residents need to help all of us
mitigate this behavior.”