KC Cracks Down on Illegal Dumping with New Proposals
One Community Update
May 22, 2024
Source: www.kctv5.com
Illegal dumping, it’s not a pretty sight and has been a persistent annoyance for many neighborhoods in Kansas City, for generations.
From mattresses and bed frames to piles of tires and trash, these are just some of the items KCTV5 found illegally dumped.
City council members are trying to crack down on the issue with new legislation aimed at tougher penalties and more surveillance.
KCMO council members Crispin Rea, Melissa Patterson Hazley and Melissa Robinson all brought forth proposals to address the issue.
Those include:
Increasing the fines for people who dump trash on vacant lots, unimproved areas, and Land Bank properties to $500 and $750 for repeated offenders.
Residents can request an unlimited number of free, curbside pick-ups for bulky items.
Organize an event for residents to drop-off trash in dumpsters.
Legislators said they’ve also hired five additional investigators this year, last year they only had one.
“We have seen around 200 cases actually reference to the municipal prosecutor’s office, which is more than what you expect,” said Rea. Rea said with the new proposals and additional surveillance he’s hopeful the city will have cleaner neighborhoods.
“We are taking a very comprehensive approach. there is improvement in every step of the system along the way from the abatement to the investigation to the penalty phase and beyond.”
“Yeah, it’s a reoccurring issue,” said Alana Henry, the Executive director for Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council. Henry works with the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council and said the area is flooded with trash, especially down Woodland Ave. She hopes the city looks at the difficulties navigating trash pickup. “If a trash crew comes through and they don’t pick up all the trash that has been set up on the curb, then what often happens, is the homeowner then finds an alternative location to put that residential trash,” said Henry.
Henry said she doesn’t think there is just one answer, but rather a multitude of answers.
“I think equipping neighborhoods with financial support to address the problem is a great place to start, actual prosecution of folks who are caught dumping illegally and making the process easier for average citizens to dispose of their household trash,” said Henry.
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