Tackling Illegal Dumping: A Growing Concern in the Bay Area
Guest Contributor: Chris Eggers, CEO & Founder: CC Security Solutions & TLBC, Inc.
Illegal dumping has become an increasing problem all over the country, but especially in the Bay Area, where dumping has skyrocketed. Municipalities are struggling to keep up with the dumping "hotspots" and the large associated costs, which easily extend into the millions of dollars. Many counties estimate that it can cost over five times the amount to clean up illegal dumping compared to legally disposing of trash.
The Facts
In the United States alone, a staggering 410,000 metric tons of solid plastic waste were illegally dumped in 2016. Since then, this number has skyrocketed, exacerbating the environmental and financial impacts of illegal dumping. The cost of cleaning up illegal dumping averages to $600 per ton, totaling a staggering $246 million per year.
Illegal dumping causes issues for counties and municipalities beyond being a visual eyesore and incurring massive cleanup costs. Traffic hazards, an increase in crime around these hotspot areas, and health concerns are among the issues municipalities face related to illegal dumping. This problem is not isolated to one location typically; many cities struggle with identifying, monitoring, and cleaning up dozens of hotspot locations.
Illegal Dumping Solutions
Deploy Surveillance is pioneering solutions to deter illegal dumping while also empowering municipalities with the information needed for education and enforcement. In a recent use case, Deploy Surveillance trailers observed illegal dumping and immediately generated a report sent to the municipality. The report included a clear, zoomed-in screenshot of the offender, vehicle description, and license plate. Local law enforcement made contact at the registered vehicle address and identified the offender. This particular area, known as a hotspot for illegal dumping, has already seen a significant reduction since the deployment of our MSUs.
Without this information, Public Works crews would be tasked with cleanup and have no recourse to address offenders through education or enforcement. Deploy Surveillance operates in real-time, proving that our technology can provide tangible solutions and long-term cost savings. We also understand that law enforcement resources are stretched thin, and taking illegal dumping reports is not always a top priority. That's why we go above and beyond with our customized reporting, further increasing efficiencies for our clients.
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About Deploy Surveillance
Deploy Surveillance offers self-sufficient, solar-powered hybrid mobile surveillance units for cloud-based monitoring, uniquely tailored to meet the security needs of any setting. All trailers and camera units are proudly made in the U.S.A. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, the company serves clients nationwide. For more information or to request a custom quote, visit https://www.deploysurveillance.com.
