Property owners face rising fines as hundreds of illegal dump sites impact neighborhoods
CINCINNATI (WXIX) – Hundreds of illegal dump sites are reported across Hamilton County each year, forcing property owners and taxpayers to cover cleanup costs.
Rick Carlson has spent nearly three decades buying vacant lots, hoping they would eventually gain value. He says that plan has not worked out as expected.
“They throw the trash in the street. They throw it over here. You know, usually it’s like four or five feet. They pull up a truck and throw it out in the middle of the night and pull away,” Carlson said.
Tires, mattresses and more
Carlson says his Knox Street property has become a hotspot for illegal dumping. He has seen everything from tires and mattresses to paint and clothing dumped there.
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Bryan Peak has witnessed the same issues. Assigned to the Environmental Services Unit, he patrols and responds to illegal dumping complaints throughout the county.
Peak says he spends about 75 percent of his time within city limits, often in the North Fairmount and South Cumminsville neighborhoods.
“What I do here in Cincinnati when I’m citing for an open dump is citing under the municipal code. And reason being is because littering is an M3 [third-degree misdemeanor]. Open dumping could be up to an unclassified felony,” Peak said.
Catching violators proves difficult
Before filing charges, Peak must first catch those responsible, which he says is a time-consuming and tedious process.
“Percentage wise, I’d say maybe 35, 40% of the time maybe I can catch them. As the only guy in the county doing this, I don’t have time just to go and wait for this vehicle to pass me today in this area,” Peak said.
He often depends on tips and technology.
Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, a nonprofit funded by city money, grants, and private donations, works to improve public spaces across Cincinnati. The group operates more than 60 battery-powered, motion-sensor cameras focused on problem areas.
Alistair Probst, the organization’s Environmental Services and Greenspace Director, says they monitor over 30 trouble spots and capture hundreds of illegal dumping incidents each year.
“There’s a high price that is attached to illegal dumping. It’s economic, it’s social, it’s environmental,” Probst said.
He says the city spends about $2 million each year cleaning up illegal dumping sites.
“They have to send the skid steer out with four or five employees. And I’m assuming it’s under their work title, but at the end of the day as well, I mean, it’s time and money,” Peak said.
Fines pile up for property owners
Carlson says he is running out of both time and money as trash and fines continue to accumulate.
“Instead of getting help or cooperation from the city, they’re just waging war against us,” Carlson said.
Last week, he appeared in court and presented evidence, including photos and property line maps, hoping to have one of his ongoing cases dismissed. Instead, the case was continued.
“The ticket’s $500. They have a hearing. Most times they find that you’re in violation, and then you have to pay it. If not, you got 10 days, it doubles. So each $500 fine doubles to $1,000 fine. And then if you can’t pay that, then there’s a $250 collection fee. It’s $1,250 for every violation, which adds up,” Carlson said.
Carlson says he purchased the lots as a long-term investment. Now, he is focused on managing the growing financial burden.
“Why don’t you dump it in front of your own house or on your own property? When you’re dumping here we got to clean it up,” Carlson said.
Free disposal event offered
Keep Cincinnati Beautiful has introduced a solution by hosting a free monthly event for city residents called “Don’t Dump in the ‘Nati.”
The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 841 West 6th Street.
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