Residents propose camera 'library' to document roadside dumping; liability and right-of-way concerns raised

Point Roberts residents told the advisory committee that roadside dumping remains a persistent problem and discussed a community-led response that would let residents borrow battery-powered cameras to document incidents.

"The idea would be that you take a camera, you catch who does it, and then and then What?" a resident asked rhetorically as members discussed turning evidence over to the sheriff. Taxpayers group members described plans for a 'library' of cameras that community members could check out temporarily; an initial donor offered to purchase the first unit and organizers planned to solicit more funds for additional cameras.

Several committee members urged caution about placing cameras in the Whatcom County right-of-way. The chair warned that "you can't put anything within the right of way. It belongs to Whatcom County," and recommended that homeowners who abut problem areas consider placing cameras on private property facing the right of way to avoid illegal installation and liability.

Others said a simple sign can be effective. One resident reported that posting a sign reading that a camera is present stopped repeated dumping at a park without installing equipment: "All I did is put up a sign which says that there was a camera there, and the dumping just stopped." Members agreed to ask taxpayers group to revisit the proposal with more detail on liability, deployment rules, and whether funds should instead buy signage or support permanent solutions handled by the county.

The committee discussed next steps including clarifying liability, possible coordination with the sheriff's office for evidence submission, and ensuring any permanent camera installations in the right-of-way would be handled by Whatcom County.