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County pilot uses six cameras and a license‑plate reader to target illegal dumping; one $2,500 citation issued, board to review progress in six months
Summary
Monterey County’s Environmental Health update showed six motion‑activated cameras installed at known hot spots produced a high‑quality evidence stream and one administrative citation; staff recommended continuing the pilot, rotating camera locations and adding signage. The board asked staff to return with a six‑month progress report.
Monterey County presented April 22 the first results from a pilot program that pairs high‑definition cameras with a license‑plate reader to detect and deter illegal dumping on county roads.
Maria Furdine, the county project lead, said six cameras have been installed in public-right-of-way hot spots and are paired with an online dashboard supplied by vendor Epic IO. Furdine described the cameras as motion activated, providing a sequence of images when triggered; the vendor dashboard archives clips, produces stills and includes a license‑plate reader. She said the camera hardware and housing cost about $13,000 per unit and that the vendor subscription for the six‑camera pilot runs about $6,500 per year. The county has used in‑house staff and Public Works crews for installation and follow‑up, she added.
Furdine showed two enforcement examples captured by the system. In one, a vehicle stopped, the driver removed a box‑spring mattress and left in 29 seconds; the image sequence would support a $2,500 administrative citation when the person is identified. In a second instance the camera captured a sectional sofa being dumped; the county located the vehicle owner and issued a citation. Furdine described a prior, more serious hazardous‑waste case where barrels were found across two counties; that investigation was referred to the district attorney and resulted in cost recovery and criminal charges.
County staff recommended continuing the pilot, rotating cameras through other hot spots, pairing cameras with signage about enforcement and maintaining vendor support. Board members asked staff to explore collaboration with the Sheriff’s Office and with other camera programs, to consider decoy cameras and signage, and to test whether placement and public messaging reduce reoccurrence at known sites. Supervisor Glenn Church and others asked that staff return with another update in six months. Supervisors also asked staff to coordinate with the Marina/Regional landfill partner (Regeneration or Region) and private haulers to ensure residents know free disposal and bulky‑item options.
Ending: The board directed staff to continue the pilot, rotate cameras as appropriate and return in six months with results and recommendations, and encouraged more public education and signage at hot spots.
