District 3 program aimed at catching and prosecuting of illegal dumpers in District 3
The message is simple and it is very clear—if you dump trash, tires, building material or any other unsightly garbage in our community, you will be caught and you will be prosecuted.
The proceeding threat was made more viable following the launch of Councilwoman Jennifer V. Ramos’ Southside Illegal Dumping Enforcement (SIDE) program.
This comprehensive illegal dumping initiative, the first of its kind in the greater
San Antonio area, combines a sophisticated mobile camera program, a District 3 Illegal
Dumping Task Force and a proposed change to the city code that makes evidence more
usable when prosecuting those committing the illegal dumping offense.
“We are very excited to see a program that will make a difference in keeping our neighborhoods beautiful and trash free,” stated Councilwoman Ramos. “Although this is going to take a complete effort from the community, Code Compliance and our office, I am confident this program will work.”
Currently the District 3 office has identified over 10 hotspots where illegal dumping activity currently takes place. The plan is to place a motion sensor camera in each of the hot spots with the hope of gaining high resolution photographs of those committing the offense.
The City’s Code Compliance Abatement Unit will have the ability to drive near the camera and upload the photos of those committing the offense through a high speed router mobile connection.
Previously, a positive identification of the individual who committed the offense was the only evidence allowed in the prosecution of these types of crimes.
Through a proposed change to the City’s Code authored by Councilwoman Ramos, the City will hopefully be able to hold the actual vehicle owner accountable for the committed offense through rebuttable presumption. Simply put, the owner of the vehicle will be presumed to be the one who committed the offense thus making the photos taken using the new cameras more usable as evidence in court.
The rebuttable presumption code change will allow any identifiable marking on a vehicle, including company branding and a license plate to be used as evidence. Once a positive identification is made, the offender will then be sent a citation through the mail.
Another proposed change to the City’s Code includes the restructuring of the fines
assessed for illegal dumping offenses with the intent on creating a potential fund
to continue this program, perhaps taking the initiative city-
“I want for this program to make everyone aware that we are watching you, we will
catch you and you will be held accountable for committing this crime in our neighborhood,”
added Ramos.
All of the aforementioned facets to this program have the Councilwoman excited about the potential of this initiative in accomplishing what she calls her one true goal, “I want for illegal dumping to stop in District 3.”
For more information on SIDE please visit www.JennRamos.com or you can call (210)
207-
Not paid for at taxpayer expense