St. John’s city council announced Friday it will hire security services to patrol certain areas of the city in an effort to curb illegal dumping.
The issue of illegal waste disposal within city boundaries has become a hot topic in recent months.
A news release notes the security service will be used on an as-needed basis to assist in gaining evidence to prosecute individuals involved in thee illegal activities.
“We recognize that this is a growing problem within the city and are going to take the steps necessary to deal with this issue and ensure those found dumping illegally will be prosecuted,” says Ward 5 counsellor Wally Collins, chair of the Public Works, Environment and Protection Standing Committee.
“We see pictures over and over where people have dumped rubbish and building materials in either remote areas or open spaces in our city and this is completely unacceptable, particularly when we have a convenient, modern waste management facility at Robin Hood Bay. The costs involved in cleaning these areas are high, particularly if you have to deal with chemical/petroleum leaks of any kind which can be very harmful to the environment.”
The advertised request for proposals looking for an independent security firm to provide security patrol services closes May 18 at 3 p.m. and will provide a minimum of 40 surveillance hours per week. The city has also identified a series of areas within its boundaries where illegal dumping appears to be more prevalent and patrols will be required.
The city notes there are numerous ways residents can dispose legally of unwanted waste. The city provides curbside bulk collection, which is free to residents when they call and make an appointment — with collection dates for each area in the spring, summer and fall. The Residential Drop-Off Facility at the Robin Hood Bay Waste Management Facility is open Tuesday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Household Hazardous Waste Facility is open every Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., from June to November.
Items such as old stoves and refrigerators can also be taken to Robin Hood Bay, as the city has a metal recycler on site. If a resident misses the free pick-up for Curbside Bulk Collection, or can’t physically bring their items to the metal recycler, the city can also pick it up at a charge of $45.
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