Pasco County residents can now earn a little cash and help the county clean up at the same time.
Pasco County has announced a new program that provides $50 rewards to those who help the county identify and catch litterbugs.
(Courtesy of Pasco County)
The reward goes to individuals who provide information that leads to charges and fines against someone caught littering or illegally dumping.
“We have a real problem with littering and dumping in the right of way,” said Mike Garrett, the county’s public works director.
A county crew now spends at least one day a week picking up trash including televisions, furniture, tires and mattresses.
Pasco County commissioners approved the reward program at their July 12 meeting.
“I think it’s a great idea,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore. “Anything that can curb dumping in the county, I’m all for it. Hopefully, it will work.”
Funding for rewards will come from fines collected from successful prosecutions.
The county currently has 15 outstanding cases that could produce a total of $7,000 in fines. The maximum fine is $500.
The public works department launched its efforts to curb litter and dumping in 2011. Since then, 33 cases of illegal dumping have produced about $8,400 in fines.
However, the county only receives the fines when cases are settled before referral to court. That’s precisely what county officials hope residents can help them accomplish.
Three years ago, the county began placing cameras in certain locations to catch people engaged in illegal dumping.
In one case, the county taped a man dropping a small bundle of newspapers and magazines on the roadside. While the camera captured his license plate, which was traced to Hernando County, the address wasn’t good, Garrett said.
Another man unloaded the bed of a truck that was filled with tree limbs and debris. The man kept looking around him to see if anyone was watching, then he scampered back into the truck’s cab and drove off.
County officials want help in identifying and locating him.
Videos on both cases currently are posted on YouTube.com. They can be found under Pasco County Illegal Dumping Case SR 1330 and SR1334.
In the future, the county plans to televise three to four videos on its own website of people caught in the act. A hotline number for tips will be provided, too.
Currently, residents can call with tips and information at (727) 274-3611.
Published July 20, 2016
