PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia Parking Authority now has the power to impound vehicles if they have been used for illegal dumping. The law took effect last week, so no vehicles have been seized yet, but Executive Director Rich Lazer said the PPA is ready.
“If you’re in a spot where a camera’s there and it’s catching you in the act, we’ll be out there to help enforce on that,” he said.
The city has 300 cameras trained on legacy dump sites, which have been used to issue fines. The city spends about $48 million a year cleaning up the sites, with little progress. Maurice Sampson of Clean Water Action said the power to impound vehicles takes it up a notch.
“This is a really big deal and it’s going to be a game-changer,” he said. “Our goal is to end dumping by 2028. This could end it in two years.”
Lazer said the process works like red light or speed cameras. The Philadelphia Streets Department will compile footage, and if PPA officials determine they can see the license plate of a vehicle being used for illegal dumping, it will go on the boot and tow list.
“It may not be for two weeks, but eventually, if the boot van is in you neighborhood and you’re using this truck or this van to mess up somebody else’s neighborhood, you’re going to get boot and towed, and then you have to deal with all the other stuff that comes with it,” he explained.
To get a vehicle back, the dumper would have to pay a $500 fine and prove that the vehicle is registered, inspected and insured. Sampson said he doesn’t want the city to be overly punitive, but he and other advocates believe the approach will make illegal dumpers think twice.
“This is a business. It’s an illicit business, but it’s a business nonetheless, and you gotta have your vehicle if you’re going to do it,” Sampson said of illegal dumping.
He said the next step is for the city to open more convenience centers so haulers can dump legally.