June 5, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Diane G. Papadakos, Director of Communications
City of West Palm Beach – Mayor’s Office
dpapadakos@wpb.org
(561) 822-1411 (TTY: 800-955-8771)

Clean Streets Task Force Combats Negative Impacts of Illegal Dumping

WEST PALM BEACH, FL — During this week’s Mayor/Commission Work Session, Public Works Director Leon Pinder provided an update on Clean Streets Task Force’s proactive approach to reducing illegal dumping, litter, and abandoned vehicles around the City.

Since Clean Streets Task Force’s inception in 2021, this dedicated team has overseen the collection of 255,488 lbs. of waste, issued 349 citations, arrested 14, and provided $1,300 in rewards to community members who reported these issues.

One of their core efforts is to combat the negative impacts of illegal dumping on the environment, public health, and overall community aesthetics.

“We’ve heard from different neighbors that there has been a significant amount of reduction in terms of people illegally dumping — because of the cameras, because they hear about the arrests, because they know that we’re on the move and we’re taking illegal dumping very seriously in the City of West Palm Beach,” said Leon Pinder, Public Works Director.

Since August 2022, Clean Streets Task Force has welcomed 1,606 volunteers, clocking 4,128 hours of service to help keep our neighborhoods and City streets clean and safe. This dedicated team has significantly improved the conditions of 293 acres of our parks and 30 miles of City streets, collecting an impressive 26,713 lbs. of litter.

In addition to these achievements, the Clean Streets Task Force has also been diligent in handling abandoned vehicles.

“For those of you who may recall, this was a program we put together… I think my first or second year in office, where we were simply going out to try to get the streets cleaner… and taking a proactive approach to illegal dumping and moving abandoned vehicles off the streets,” said Mayor Keith A. James.

To date, the Clean Streets Task Force has tagged a total of 811 vehicles and towed 97 of them with an 88% compliance rate, meaning community members are given an opportunity to fix these issues within a set time frame, such as fixing tires and moving the vehicle, before the vehicle would be towed.

For more information on illegal dumping and how to report it, visit the City’s Illegal Dumping webpage.

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About The City of West Palm Beach

The City of West Palm Beach is a vibrant and dynamic city located on the Atlantic coast of Florida. With a rich history, a thriving arts and cultural scene, and a commitment to sustainability, the City of West Palm Beach is a great place to live, work, and play. As one of the three largest cities making up the South Florida region, and the central city of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach is a vibrant, growing, waterfront city that offers the business advantages available in the region, combined with a more refined and relaxed environment for living and working. To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, visit us on our official website, or follow us on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and/or Linked-in.