It’s a new kind of crackdown on crime in Sacramento as the city council is considering ramping up surveillance and raising fines on illegal dumping.<\/p>\n
Derrell Roberts is a north Sacramento civic leader, battling blight in his own backyard. The alley behind the Roberts Family Development Center is a prime target for illegal dumping.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“People see this as an illegal dumping oasis,” Roberts said. “It’s unfair, but that’s how it is.”<\/p>\n
Councilmember Roger Dickinson represents north Sacramento and is now proposing a city-wide campaign to stop illegal dumping.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I’ve described it here in north Sacramento as an epidemic,” Dickinson said. “But more than that, it’s really an insult.”<\/p>\n
A heat map shows the number of 311 calls for service reporting illegal dumping in the last two years. North Sacramento has the most hot spots for the calls.<\/p>\n
A city survey found mattresses, furniture and appliances were among the most common trashed items.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dickinson is now calling for action to improve the city’s response, including using expanded video surveillance by helping private property owners pay for security cameras, and increasing fines and rewards.<\/p>\n
“Using cameras, drones, other techniques, I think we can attack illegal dumping in a way that we can significantly reduce it,” Dickinson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Gotta figure out a way to change people’s behavior,” Roberts said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sacramento had 1,458 illegal dumping cases in 2024. The most recent year’s stats are available.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dickinson’s plan also needs a funding source. He has asked the city council for approval and hopes it can go into effect in the next six months.<\/p>\n