BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Last year, Tampa taxpayers paid $81,000 to clean up hundreds of sites where illegal dumping took place. While dumping occurred throughout the city, it was more prevalent in certain Tampa neighborhoods.

In an effort to combat the ever-growing problem, the City of Tampa is introducing Solar-powered cameras at some of the most notorious dumping locations. The cameras are motion-activated and designed to photograph license plates in total darkness.

Ms. Tonja Brickhouse, Director of Solid Waste & Environmental Program Management said, “Illegal dumping is an issue of public health and safety as well as cost. We are taking aggressive action to identify and hold violators accountable.”

Individuals caught dumping waste can face criminal charges and pay the costs for disposal and cleaning up the dump site, she said.

Last year, Solid Waste Code Enforcement Officers identified 890 illegal dumping sites throughout the city, with the highest concentration in North Tampa and East Tampa neighborhoods. So far this year, nearly 200 tons of illegal dumping has already taken place. The cameras are part of the City’s deterrence program to stop the illegal activity.

Ms. Brickhouse is teaming up with the Tampa Police Department’s Environmental Crimes Unit and the East Tampa Revitalization Partnership to help combat the problem.

Ms. Brickhouse said in addition to the cameras being solar-powered, they are also mobile and can be relocated to problem areas as they develop.