COLUMBUS – Columbus city officials are using surveillance cameras and mapping technology to combat illegal dumping that is trashing the city’s side streets and alleys.
Under the plan announced Tuesday, the departments of Public Service and Public Safety will invest $500,000 to permanently increase the number neighborhood safety cameras in alleys to 50 to reduce crime: violent crime as well as nuisance crime like illegal dumping, prostitution and drugs.
Inspectors will record the areas that are prone to illegal dumping and Columbus Police will provide officers to assist in the identification and investigation of the illegal dumping recorded on the cameras.
The city will replace 300-gallon trash receptacles in alleys that are magnets for illegal dumping with 90-gallon receptacles and move pickups to the fronts of the streets where appropriate.
The plan also calls for “hot spot mapping,” using complaint calls to the city’s 311 telephone line to identify “hot spot locations” and prioritize reports of illegal dumping in those areas.
Authorities will make sure nuisance materials on private property are properly disposed by a private hauler and the city will make regular reports to neighborhood leaders regarding illegal dumping cases, as well as publicize illegal dumping convictions.
An annual “cleanup day” will be held in cooperation with neighborhood organizations, businesses, faith groups and city departments.