PBRM continues to maintain over 25 mobile security cameras at multiple sites throughout the city that are used often to respond to and identify illegal dumping activity.
The following people have been caught illegally dumping as part of this effort since February 2024 and were cited by the Springfield Police Department:
- 2/4/24 at 4:35 pm – Issued citation to registered owner of m/v Erick Herrera-Santiago of 59 Harrow Rd. Springfield
- 2/21/24 at 4:56 pm – Issued citation to registered owner of m/v Marwan Al-Khazraji of 100 Birchland Ave, Springfield.
- 4/5/24 at 6:23pm – Issued citation to registered owner of m/v Marcelino Colon of 190 Commonwealth Ave. Springfield.
- 4/14/24 at 9:22 am – Issued citation to registered owner of m/v Thomas Diaz of New Church VA.
- 4-26-24 at 11:30 pm – Issued citation to registered owner of m/v Ivan Reyes of New Hampshire.
- 5-9-24 at 11:44 pm – Issued citation to registered owner of m/v Ivan Reyes of New Hampshire.
- 5-4-24 at 2:05pm - Issued citation to registered owner of m/v Steven Morales Vidal of 212 Wilbraham Rd. Wilbraham
- 5-14-24 at 1:43 pm – Issued citation to registered owner of m/v Nathan Lee Johnson of 51 Westwood Ave. East Longmeadow.
- 5-25-24 at 2:44 pm - Issued citation to registered owner of m/v John Rivera Olivo of 1163 Westfield St. Apt.# A1 West Springfield.
- 6-8-24 at 10:26 pm – Issued citation to registered owner of m/v Rafael Santiago Gomez of 92 Marion St. Springfield.
- 6-15-24 at 5:53 pm – Issued citation to registered owner of m/v Ricardo Rosado-Rodriguez of 20 Grant St. Springfield.
- 6-28-24 at 8:17 pm – Issued citation to registered owner of m/v Ulises Soto of 116 Lowell St.
- 7-24-24 at 7:14 pm – Issued citation to registered owner of m/v Ruben Torres Cintron of 11 Van Buren Ave. Springfield.
- 8-22-24 at 8:15 pm – Issued citation to registered owner of m/v Margaret Lopez of 309 Oak Street Indian Orchard.
- 8-25-24 at 9:49 pm – Issued citation to registered owner of m/v Margaret Lopez of 309 Oak Street Indian Orchard.
- 8-11-24 at 9:41 am – Issued citation to registered owner of m/v Rong Dong of 263 Woodmont Street West Springfield.
- 8-28-24 at 7:30 pm – Issued citation to registered owner of m/v Mohammed Al Saadi of 184 Hamburg Street Springfield.
- 9-14-24 at 1:33 pm – Issued citation to registered owner of m/v Ryan Kosla of 172 Dickinson Hill Road, Russell MA 01071
- 9-24-24 at 12:28 pm – Issued citation to registered owner of m/v Angel Martinez of 66 Humbert St.
The City of Springfield continues to monitor hot spot locations throughout the city as identified by city officials, neighborhood councils and residents. The location of the cameras are kept hidden to avoid any potential vandalism.
Mayor Sarno stated, “First of all, I want to commend Director Ashe, Tom McCarthy, Mike McCloskey, Sgt. Catellier and our brave and dedicated SPD Ordinance unit and Parks Department team for their efforts in tracking, monitoring and identifying these illegal dumpers. Shame on them! We are going to remain vigilant to ensure everyone understands illegal dumping will not be tolerated in the City of Springfield. We continue to expand our operation and now have over 25 mobile cameras being utilized; violators should be aware we will catch up with you, so think twice. This program will remain a priority for my administration and we will provide the necessary resources to ensure all violators are prosecuted.”
Councilor Fenton said, “This is very aggravating for me. We have a very affordable bulk pick up and trash program to properly dispose of trash and debris. Shame on these individuals for using our beautiful city of Springfield as their personal dumping ground. I want to thank the Parks and Police Departments for their continued good work in catching these individuals and holding them accountable. To support their efforts, last year, Councilor Davila and I put forth an amendment to our illegal dumping ordinance that increased to the fine for the illegal dumping from $300 to $500, and with the support of the Mayor we were hoping this would discourage this type of behavior that negatively impacts our quality of life.”
Tom Ashe added, “The Department of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management is committed to working closely with Springfield Police to eliminate blight caused by illegal dumping activities. I want to thank Mike McCloskey and the Springfield Police Officers for their outstanding efforts to identify individuals illegally dumping in our city. It is unconscionable that residents and even people from outside the city consider illegal dumping as an option. We will continue to expand the program and at the Mayor’s direction we will continue to monitor all sites and prosecute offenders. It is time that everyone realizes we have an affordable bulk pickup process and the rules need to be followed.”
In addition, Springfield Police Ordinance has identified a habitual illegal dumper in Xiuyu Ma of Westfield, who owns multiple properties in the city that continues to illegally dump. Although she was not identified as an illegal dumper during this time period, it was reported by officers that the court found facts sufficient with her previous citations that were issued to her, but waived her fines or penalty for her actions, thus defeating the purpose of our quality of life actions.
Much to the aggravation of Mayor Sarno, Councilor Fenton, PBRM Director Ashe and all city officials, the courts have been dismissing an alarming number of illegal dumping citations recently, which only encourages this negative activity that adversely impacts residents’ quality of life.
“Once again our courts are not backing our local efforts here in the city of Springfield,” said Mayor Sarno. “From releasing violent repeat criminal offenders back into our community with little to no bail, now waiving the illegal dumping fines the City Council and I had approved to help curb illegal dumping and hold these illegal dumpers responsible for their transgressions. Where are the consequences for their actions that negatively impact the quality of life for our residents and business community! Not only that, but it now costs our tax payers hundreds and thousands of dollars to clean up the illegal dumped items they leave behind and now the courts are denying us of any means to recoup this expense and the burden upon the city and taxpayers. Shame on our courts.”
In 2023, the City Council, led by Council President Attorney Michael Fenton and Councilor Victor Davila, adapted a local ordinance, which the Mayor signed and supported, that increased the fine for illegal dumping in the city from $300 to $500. In addition, if fines were not paid in a timely manner, the RMV would be notified and a mark would be placed on their ability to renew their license and registration.
Unfortunately, as Police Ordinance officers have indicated to Mayor Sarno and city officials, the courts have been dismissing the illegal dumping fines, and in doing so the courts have been circumventing the new ordinance the city had adapted to hold these individuals accountable for their actions that negatively impact the city’s quality of life. Illegal dumping also adds a financial burden upon tax payers resulting in the city having to clean up their illegally dumped items and debris in our neighborhoods, parks and woodland areas.
