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Crimestoppers Corner: Illegal dumping

Illegal dumping is a problem in the Guelph-Wellington area but you can do something about it
Crime Stoppers

NEWS RELEASE

CRIME STOPPERS GUELPH WELLINGTON

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‘Tis the season when the snow melts, the trees bud, the plants push through the soil as they reach for the sun, and the junk that has been dumped illegally reveals itself.

You may not see the connection between Crime Stoppers and illegal dumping, but this is another example of the type of crime the public can report while being completely anonymous.

Those who illegally dump usually do so on public property, or on property they don't own. This means someone else must clean up the garbage and dispose of it properly. This can lead to costs for the person who is trying rehabilitate their property.

If it is public land, you, as the taxpayer, are paying for municipal staff to clean up after someone who was too lazy to drop the items at a landfill, or trying to avoid the costs of doing so.

There is also an environmental impact. Many items found in illegal dumps are not safe for standard landfills and require additional measures to ensure environmental and public safety. This can have long term effects for your community, especially if the land is used for agriculture, or is near a waterway.

Illegal dumping is also a way for criminals to dispose of items used in crimes. These items could cause harm to individuals who inadvertently come across them.

So, what can you do about it?

If you are in the City of Guelph or County of Wellington and see a vehicle parked in a remote location, or in an area known for illegal dumping, you can provide the information to Crime Stoppers.

You will be anonymous and your information is confidential. Your information will be forwarded for investigation and if an arrest is made, you could qualify for a cash reward from Crime Stoppers Guelph Wellington (CSGW).

Crime Stoppers Guelph Wellington is proud to partner with the County of Wellington and City of Guelph to bring Illegal Dumping Awareness to this area with a poster and post card campaign. This is a perfect fit for our agricultural and environmentally-aware communities. Watch for us on April 20 when we will launch this initiative.

Remember, call 1-800-222-TIPS or go to www.csgw.tips if you have information about illegal dumping in your community!

For more information on Crime Stoppers Guelph Wellington, go to www.csgw.tips. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

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