MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Millions of dollars are being dedicated to cleaning up the City of Memphis as officials receive hundreds of reports regarding trash dumped in parking lots and abandoned lawns across neighborhoods.
During ABC24's "Let's Talk 24" listening sessions, several complaints were levied of illegal dumping in the city.
People caught engaging in this activity not only contribute to the deterioration of property values leading to criminal activity, but those people face federal charges.
Syd Lerner has volunteered for Memphis City Beautiful for 10 years. From his experience, he's learned people care about tidy neighborhoods.
For nearly 100 years, the organization has invited Memphians to lend a hand in keeping the city clean, Lerner said, with more than 30,000 volunteers showing up for events to help beautify streets and parks each year.
The organization's work has been the life passion of Executive Director, Eldra White for the last 30 years.
Memphis isn't alone in battling litter and illegal dumping, with official reports of 50 billion pieces of litter on U.S. roadways and waterways, according to White.
She says keeping the city clean is an easy thing to do.
"We're just asking people to take personal responsibility for handling their waste," White said.
Just by tossing unwanted trash in waste cans, recycling plastics and cardboards and keeping your property clear of debris goes a long way, White said.
We got a first hand look at what a cleanup looks like at n illegal dumping site, once home to the Atlantic Oaks Apartment complex in North Memphis.
Memphis Public Works quickly took on the task of clearing sidewalks, streets and gutters of old furniture, electronics and old clothes.
The Strike Crew, as they're called, is made up of about half a dozen men armed with a crane and a dump truck.
This is only one of between 50 to 100 illegal dumping sites city officials have their eyes on.
Just where those eyes are may surprise you.
"We have covert cameras hidden and we're capturing people doing it and we prosecute them," said Robert Knect, Memphis City Public Works, Director.
Of the more than $3 million spent to keep Memphis clean, some of that money is spent on monitoring about 100 surveillance cameras where illegal dumping frequently happens.
That's only the beginning.
City officials say investigators, pick through these trash heaps looking for mail, personal documents or any clues leading to a source.
Knecht says this strategy often leads to rental properties where there's been an eviction.
In most cases, the landlord has hired somebody to pickup the former tenants belongings set out curbside, which in many instances ends up dumped in places like this.
Despite the city's two convenience centers taking whatever it is Memphis residents don't want, as long as it's not hazardous.
Then, there's the rampant problem of old tires piled up roadside and left in vacant outdoor spaces.
The city offers several ways to dispose of those, too.
"If you are a solid waste customer, you pay the solid waste fee, you can put up to four rimless tires, every 60 days out for collection," Knect said.
City run convenience centers will take up to 10 rimless tires off your hands when dropped off by Memphis residents.