The City of Los Angeles reported 37 notices of violation for illegal street and parkway dumping in South Los Angeles. One tip from the Illegal Dumping Crime hotline led crews from Street Services and Sanitation Bureau to remove trash and debris from one location, William Robertson, Street Services director, said.

Citizens can call 3-1-1, the city’s confidential non-emergency hotline, to anonymously report any illegal dumping, as well as vehicle information. The focus is on Council Districts 8, 9 and 15, where the top 10 impacted sections have been identified. Citizens can also make a confidential report or access the online site at http://bss.lacity.org/SSIED/illegal_dump.htm.

“Cleanup of illegally discarded and dumped items cost the City about $12 million annually,” Gary Harris, chief investigator of the Investigation and Enforcement Division, said. “Offenders can face misdemeanor or felony convictions.”

The California State Penal Code section 374.4 says a misdemeanor conviction can result in a sentence of six months in jail or a fine of up to $3,000. For a felony conviction, the offender can receive three years in prison or a fine of up to $10,000, State Penal Code 374.8 says. Los Angeles Municpal Code 66.25 documents the penalty as six months in jail or a fine of $1,000, or both.

Those who report an illegal dumping that eventually leads to an arrest and conviction can receive a $1,000 reward, Harris said.

For further information, please contact the Bureau of Sanitation Public Affairs Office at (213) 978-0333.