Sanitation Expands Crackdown On Queens Dumpers

Sanitation Dept. [DOS] police have accelerated their crackdown on illegal dumping in Queens during the first 10 months of this year, it was announced by Sanitation Commissioner John J. Doherty.
Sanitation police have already issued 44% more summonses to operators (from 50 to 72) and impounded 50 vans and trucks from owners caught illegally dumping debris and garbage on the boroughs empty lots and back roads.
The crackdown was conducted by plain clothes Sanitation police officers who regularly monitor known dumping locations. When an illegal dumper is caught, police have a number of options: they not only issue in the illegal dumping incident.
Since January, Sanitation police have issued 72 dumping summonses to 65 vehicle owners in Queens. Fifty vehicles have been impounded by the city until the fines are paid.
Dumping penalties are heavy. Fines start at $1,500 per summons and can climb to an astronomical $20,000. The costs are high because the illegal dumper must pay the city an additional $150 per cubic yard clean-up cost. In addition, the owner of the vehicle also receives a summons.
Last month, a Calverton trucker faced an estimated $4,800 clean-up penalty for illegally dumping 32 cubic yards of roadway milling in Maspeth, while his giant tractor-trailer was impounded by Sanitation police until he paid the fine.
Commissioner Doherty said, "Illegal dumping is against the law. If you do it, you will get caught." Doherty also announced that tough new sanitation regulations, requiring commercial businesses to keep garbage dumpers off the sidewalks until just before collection time will be launched next January.
The Sanitation Departments Illegal Dumper Tips Program allows residents to get involved without placing them at risk from the dumpers. If they provide information leading to the conviction or a fine for illegal dumper, they may receive a bounty of up to half the fine imposed. All information will be kept confidential by calling (212) 219-8090.