Spokane: Mayor Brown Introduces Ordinance to Curb Illegal Dumping, Launches Dashboard to Provide Insight on Waste Pick Up
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~ Spokane, WA - The City of Spokane is taking action against illegal dumping with the introduction of a new ordinance and the launch of an online dashboard to track waste pick up and efforts to combat this issue. Erin Hut, Director of Communications for the City, announced that the Brown Administration is proposing an update to city code to align with state law on penalties for illegal dumping.

The new ordinance will increase the penalty for illegal dumping from a civil infraction to a gross misdemeanor. This comes as a response to the growing concern of illegal dumping across the city. The Brown Administration hopes that this change will serve as a deterrent and help keep neighborhoods and streets cleaner.

In addition to the proposed ordinance, the City has also launched an online dashboard that provides residents with insights into their efforts to combat illegal dumping. The dashboard highlights key metrics such as pounds of garbage picked up by the Code Enforcement department in 2023 and so far in 2024. It also includes data on pounds picked up by the Homeless Outreach Team in response to unauthorized camp sites, pounds cleared from illegal dump sites, and pounds cleaned up from nuisance properties.

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According to the data on the dashboard, over 1.6 million pounds of garbage were picked up in 2023. As of September, over 1.2 million pounds have already been collected this year. The Code Enforcement teams have also responded to more sites every month compared to last year, with only one exception in August where there was a decrease in responses.

Director of Code Enforcement Luis Garcia stated that they want residents to see the direct impact of their reports and their response efforts. He also noted that the increase in waste collected so far this year shows their intensified efforts to keep neighborhoods and streets clean.

Mayor Lisa Brown expressed her appreciation for residents utilizing 311 to report illegal dumping and emphasized that this issue reflects their commitment towards cleaner neighborhoods and downtown areas. She also mentioned that data collected through these reports helps them refine their strategies and make better decisions moving forward.

The online dashboard will be updated on a monthly basis, providing citizens with up-to-date information on the City's efforts to combat illegal dumping. Residents can report any instances of illegal dumping through the City's 311 web portal or by dialing 311 for those within city limits (509.755.2489 for those outside city limits).

The City of Spokane is determined to tackle the issue of illegal dumping and hopes that these measures will help keep their community clean and safe. The proposed ordinance and the launch of the online dashboard are just some of the steps being taken towards achieving this goal.

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