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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8296 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8296 4WATQgto Date: January 2, 2001 Wr� a To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page I of I SUBJECT: ILLEGAL DUMPING ENFORCEMENT On December 12, 2000 (M&C C-18383), the City Council approved renewal of an agreement with Tarrant County in the amount of $104,403 for illegal dumping enforcement for the period October 1, 2000 through September 30, 2001. The following is provided pursuant to the City Council's request for additional information regarding this program. The City has been contracting with Tarrant County for the full-time equivalent of two deputy constables for enforcement of illegal dumping within the City of Fort Worth since October 1, 1995. In addition to the personnel, the County provides vehicles and all other equipment associated with this program, The purpose of the program is to augment and enhance the City's efforts in enforcing Texas laws regarding the dumping of solid waste along streets, empty lots, and other areas within the City of Fort Worth that are not designed or permitted for the disposal of such waste. The benefits of the program are derived from the fact that the constables are certified peace officers who have powers that enable them to perform functions that civilian enforcement personnel in either Solid Waste Management Division or Code Compliance Division are not able to do. They are authorized to carry weapons, which makes it safer for them to work in isolated areas and at times that would be considered unsafe for civilian enforcement personnel. They are empowered to arrest individuals found illegally dumping as well as committing other crimes. They are able to cross municipal boundaries to pursue dumpers and to investigate illegal dumping that has occurred within Fort Worth. They are also able to issue a higher level of citation for which the fines can be higher. During FY 1999/2000, the deputy constables worked 351 illegal dumping cases, identified 214 violators, issued 186 citations, and made 178 arrests. The value of fines collected was $52,536.05 and the estimated weight of materials cleaned up was 293,580 pounds. Enforcement activities of the deputy constables are coordinated with the efforts of enforcement personnel in the Solid Waste Management Division. Administration and funding of this agreement is provided in the Solid Waste Management Division. Additional information can be provided upon request. y .... ......Bob Terrell City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS ............--......