Commissioner Diaz takes aim at illegal dumping

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY – The Miami-Dade County Commission on July 10 approved a resolution sponsored by Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz to crack down on illegal dumping.

The resolution calls for more police resources to be dedicated to the problem by creating a specialized unit for illegal dumping and environmental crimes, or by expanding an existing unit to deal with the problem. It also calls for utilizing surveillance cameras and other existing tools to more quickly address illegal dumping and apprehend offenders, and implementing a training program for police officers regarding illegal dumping laws.

Illegal dumping is a problem in many parts of the County. It is against the law to illegally dump trash and waste on the right-of-way or on another person’s property, or to dump trash alongside bulky waste for curbside pick-up.

“Illegal dumping is a serious threat to public health, the environment and neighborhood property values,” said Commissioner Diaz said, who in 2017 sponsored legislation creating an Illegal Dumping Task Force to address the problem.