Illegal dumping has become a serious concern across the state, as we’ve seen in Benton Harbor with a renewed effort to crack down on the problem. State Representative Cynthia Johnson of Detroit has submitted two bills to increase penalties on those who dump, especially those who don’t live in the neighborhoods. The current punishment is a fine of up to $500 and 90 days in jail for a first offense. Johnson’s bills would raise the fine to $2,500 for the first offense and extend the sentence to up to one year.
“Where we want the money to go is back into the community so people can help themselves and we can help them to help themselves,” says Representative Johnson. She says in Detroit, two-thirds of the dumping is done by people who don’t live in the city.
A second offense would be a felony under her plan, punishable by up to five-years in prison and a hefty $7,500 fine. The bills are now before the House Judiciary Committee.
