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Cameras aim to catch illegal dumping
YOUNGSTOWN
The city will have nine cameras up and running next month to catch those who illegally dump garbage and debris.
The board of control approved a $55,000 purchase Thursday to Q-Star Technology of Torrance, Calif., which also will install the cameras.
“This is good for those who aren’t dumping,” said Mayor Jay Williams, chairman of the board of control, about the purchase.
City council authorized the purchase at its May 18 meeting with members saying they are tired of the dozens of illegal-dumping sites in Youngstown and that a crackdown was needed on those committing the crimes.
In addition to the nine cameras, the city also is purchasing three fake cameras, equipment needed to install the cameras and a laptop computer that would review the pictures on the still-photo cameras, said Jennifer Jones, coordinator of the city’s litter-control and recycling program.
The cameras cost about $5,500 each.
The cameras can read a license plate 300 feet away regardless of the time of day.
They work on a system that detects motion and use solar-powered batteries. The photos are sent to the laptop computer purchased by the city.
Jones said she’ll review the pictures, and if there’s evidence of illegal dumping, the photos will be forwarded to the Mahoning County sheriff’s litter-enforcement officers to conduct investigations and make arrests.