VIDEO: Will a camera discourage dumping? City launches pilot program in West Seattle

| Environment | Utilities | West Seattle news

(WSB photos/video unless otherwise credited)

That’s the city’s newest surveillance camera. It’s just been installed high on a pole overlooking this stretch of Detroit Avenue SW [map] in southeast West Seattle.

That area between industrial businesses and a greenbelt is so notorious for illegal dumping, Seattle Public Utilities says, they’ve recovered thousands of tires and even this boat:

(Seattle Public Utilities photo)

So they’re trying something new – a motion-activated camera that will play this warning message when set off and will then photograph potential illegal dumpers:

We talked at the site with SPU’s Clean City division director Lee Momon, about why this spot was chosen and what happens to people caught by the camera, among other things:

Illegal dumping totaled more than (corrected) 1.9 million pounds last year alone, SPU says, resulting in that $1.7 million cost that Momon mentioned. If someone is caught and identified via the camera (which cost $9,000), they’ll “reach out and inform them about the violation and find a resolution (that) could involve cleaning fees, violation fees, or community service.”

You can report illegal dumping on public property any time via Find It Fix It, via the form linked here (where you’ll also see a map of currently reported dumping sites), or by calling 206-684-7587.

It's Gonna Be Okay March 3, 2023 (11:10 am)

WSB, will this camera be available for public view? Our business is on Detroit and we’ve been plagued by crime over the last year and a half from the many encampments that were there (that have thankfully been cleared).

WSB March 3, 2023 (11:27 am)

It takes still photos, not live video like traffic cameras do.

Odd son March 3, 2023 (11:17 am)

I wish they could put these by all of the clothing donation bins (Usagain). They state on the bin it’s for clothes and shoes but people use them as mini transfer stations to save time and money or out of ignorance. A lot of the things I see could go to Goodwill. Just doesn’t look very nice. Sometimes there’s a big mattress 🤦‍♂️I know mattresses can’t go to goodwill. I have tried to make a difference by working with the city and business but it continues to happen.

22blades March 7, 2023 (6:08 am)

USagain is a FOR PROFIT TEXTILE RECYCLING company. If their business model is based on benevolence, they could start by being a good neighbor & maintains their “collection stations.” If they’re located on a business property, I’m sure they’re a tenant. Either way, the business needs to be a better neighbor.https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/USAgain

Mike March 3, 2023 (11:25 am)

If nobody is being held responsible for the dumping, this is pointless.

Anne March 3, 2023 (11:28 am)

Ha! Good luck with that.

WW Resident March 3, 2023 (11:34 am)

In other news, people start dumping their stuff elsewhere

Ann March 3, 2023 (11:43 am)

Will a camera discourage dumping?

Let’s hope so! Not only is illegal dumping a plague to commercial and residential property owners alike, it’s cleanup is a gigantic cost for all of us as taxpayers, when left on public property. No matter where it is deposited, it often causes terrible harm to what’s left of our fragile ecosystems; as so much of it would qualify as hazardous waste in whole, or in part. (TVs, electronics, microwaves, vehicles, boats, oil, sludge etc. – the list goes on and on).

bolo March 3, 2023 (11:46 am)

Guessing they are planning to make identification via vehicle license plate?

If so, it’s been proven trivial for the flaunters to remove or cover their plates when flaunting. Just like they did to cross the lower bridge repeatedly without consequences during the recent upper bridge closure.

WSB March 3, 2023 (12:08 pm)

Some, yes, but you’d be surprised at the criminals/suspects/violators who don’t cover/change/remove plates. (Source: the many court documents and police reports I read)
- 22blades March 7, 2023 (6:16 am)
  
  I’m also surprised by the SPD & the community in general when I report a flat black tow truck with no plates causing zero reaction.

dhg March 3, 2023 (12:13 pm)

Putting up signs warning, adding a speaker that warns people not to dump, is a good way to move the problem from here to somewhere else. Better if the city were to discretely record and fine.

CeeBee March 3, 2023 (12:25 pm)

Hope that camera is bulletproof.

WSB March 3, 2023 (12:32 pm)

Actually, we did ask about that, and yes, it has gunfire protection.

Lola March 3, 2023 (12:33 pm)

WSB, how many people with stolen license plates will now be held liable when they try to send the bill to them? It kind of sounds like a crap shoot.

Me March 3, 2023 (12:34 pm)

Ya right..a new job for some one

WSB March 3, 2023 (4:21 pm)

Nope, the existing Clean City Initiative is staffing this.

marcus March 3, 2023 (12:58 pm)

Boy what a bunch of nay sayers and generally negative people who are so use to being so critical of any possible positive solution to a problem. I am tired of seeing trash on the side of the road where someone has left their old couch, chair or garbage. Come up with a better idea–but that won’t happen because it is easier to just trash the idea of trying to reduce the trash left by trashy people.

Mike March 3, 2023 (3:10 pm)

Enforce laws, ta-da!
- CAM March 4, 2023 (12:16 am)
  
  That’s exactly what this is doing! Tada!

MM March 3, 2023 (1:24 pm)

Glad they are trying something! They should do this for overnight homeless Encampments!

Scarlett March 3, 2023 (3:08 pm)

Mabe they can provide real-time access for those like yourself and others. What a thrill that would be! Can never enough eyes in the neighborhood watching each other!

Beatrice March 3, 2023 (2:56 pm)

We need one on every corner, Starting with Fairmont! Then we need the follow through of enforcement and penalty.

Blbl March 3, 2023 (3:50 pm)

Unreal. Must be fun being woken up by that recording every time a raccoon climbs up on one of the dumped couches. Now we have noise pollution too!

WSB March 3, 2023 (4:20 pm)

There are no homes nearby. Industrial to the east (and, in the distance, north and south), sloped greenbelt to the west.

Tired of trash March 3, 2023 (3:59 pm)

Love this idea!! I’m sick of seeing dumping and so much litter in general. It is particularly bad in the southeast area of west seattle. It wasn’t nearly as polluted before the west seattle bridge was closed and all the traffic routed through here. Hope this works and that they plan to invest in more ways to keep our roadsides cleaner. Maybe more fines and it’s proven that no litter signage does help a bit.

Mike Johnson March 3, 2023 (4:28 pm)

Why not have one day week for free “dumping” at designated locations? They just need to get rid of junky trash. They’ll find a place to do it, so why not provide a place(s)?

CAM March 4, 2023 (12:20 am)

Because it is not always just people who don’t have homes that are doing the illegal dumping.

Lake Life March 3, 2023 (5:20 pm)

Free boat??

Eddie March 3, 2023 (6:15 pm)

Consequences deter bad behavior. Cameras could lead to consequences, but by themselves, Cameras are of little deterance. Witness drug smoking on metro trains, vehicles crashing into jewelry stores, and a whole raft of other bad behavior routinely captured on camera, but with little to no actual consequences.

PSPS March 3, 2023 (10:59 pm)

Wow! That there is one boatload of tires!

WSDad March 6, 2023 (9:57 am)

It cost $30 to dump items you don’t need at the South Transfer Station. Harzourdess material can be processed across the street for free. I have an area in my yard where I collect material to take to the transfer station every couple of months. Let’s keep Seattle clean :)South Transfer Station – Utilities | seattle.gov