Winnipeg encouraged to expand program that combats illegal dumping

Winnipeg’s city councillors are being asked to approve a $150,000 budget increase to help tackle illegal garbage dumping.

The public service wants the city to expand on a pilot surveillance program it has been running since 2016.

A report presented in April showed over the past two years, cameras have let to 103 investigations for instances of illegal dumping.

READ MORE: Two year camera project on illegal dumping shows mixed results: city report

Next Tuesday, the public service is presenting a new report that will ask the city to pay for more cameras and hire someone full-time to enforce bylaw infractions.

Winston Yee, the report’s author, said the initial project has been successful, but more investment would allow for better enforcement and deterrence.

“We confirmed that photo or video evidence is crucial in securing a conviction,” Yee wrote. “Also, there is an inherent deterrent effect on illegal dumping with a surveillance program in place. Displacement can occur, and new locations can become hot spots quickly, as garbage accumulation tends to attract more garbage. In these circumstances, operational agility and flexibility is required to provide greater deterrence and enforcement to react or proactively seek out locations.

“Existing cameras limit the administrations agility and flexibility to address new hot spots quickly.”

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Should city council not vote in favour of adding resources to combat illegal dumping, Yee said the program will continue to operate under its existing budget constraints.

“If recommendations are not accepted, the Public Service will continue to operate existing cameras with existing staff, but with limited effectiveness as time passes.”