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Resident urges county action on illegal dumping; commissioners agree to form small task force
Summary
A District 6 resident raised concerns about recurring illegal dumping and blight near Radium Springs Park and in her neighborhood. Commissioners discussed options including cameras, trail cameras, drone surveillance and a task force; staff were asked to follow up with the resident.
Catherine Grant, a resident of District 6, urged Dougherty County commissioners on May 19 to address recurring illegal dumping and blight at locations near Radium Springs Park and in her Brown Street neighborhood.
Grant told commissioners she has contacted Keep Albany Beautiful and city code enforcement and offered volunteer help. She said one frequent dumping site includes the Brown and Clark block behind a Walmart/pilot area and described discarded tires, clothes and household refuse.
Commissioners discussed possible responses during the meeting. District 2 said the board is assembling a small task force to address dumping and asked Grant to provide her contact information so staff can follow up and include Keep Albany Beautiful and the sheriff’s office in planning. Other commissioners suggested rotating trail cameras, using stationary cameras in known dumping hotspots, moving flashing signs that draw attention, and possible drone overflights in problem areas to identify offenders. County staff and code enforcement noted they sometimes can identify owners through items left in the trash and can issue enforcement letters; the sheriff’s office is reviewing personnel availability for volunteer or supervised cleanup efforts.
One commissioner reminded residents they can take up to 250 pounds of trash per day to the county landfill for free and warned residents about paying unlicensed haulers without a landfill ticket to confirm proper disposal. Commissioners asked Grant to leave contact information with the clerk so the proposed task force can reach out and hold a “lunch-and-learn” with city and sheriff staff.
No formal policy or ordinance change was adopted at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to coordinate the task-force planning and follow up with the resident.
