City installs security cameras in bid to curb illegal dumping

​The City of Windsor is testing security cameras in an effort to curb the illegal dumping of garbage. 

"Our hope is that we'll be able to identify those people and, at minimum, have a chat with them about their illegal dumping and, if need be, charge them," said Windsor's manager of environmental services, Anne-Marie Albidone. "But the whole point of the cameras is really just to deter that illegal dumping."

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​The test-cameras have been installed in parts of the city where illegal dumping tends to be rampant. The idea is to capture people on tape and identify them using their licence plate number. The city will use the footage in conjunction with reports from witnesses. 

"They are cameras that we plan on moving around," said Albidone. "Wherever there seems to be more activity we'll move the cameras there."

Council spent about $50,000 on the cameras and are trying different types to see which works best. 

The testing phase is expected to end in October and then the city will make a decision on which camera works best and how many to purchase.

Tom Henderson, the vice chair of Little River Enhancement Group, says he thinks the city is "doing all they can" when it comes to stopping people from dumping their garbage illegally. He said if people even suspect the cameras are in place it will be "effective" in deterring people from dumping at those sites. 

This isn't the first step the city has made to prevent garbage from piling up. In May, Windsor began a new bulk furniture pickup program where residents can pay a fee to have their large items picked up and taken away. 

"Whether it's having an impact on illegal dumping is hard to say. We've only had the program for a few months," said Albidone, adding that the program has been on hold for flood-damaged garbage collection.