Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Cameras eyed to catch illegal dumpers on country roads

Alberta's Municipal District of Foothills says it needs to ramp up its fight against people who dump garbage along country roads.The rural council is considering purchasing two cameras that could rotate to popular spots among dumpers. The cameras would have infrared capabilities to capture video at night.The fine for illegal dumping in Foothills is $125, but council would like to bring that way up — maybe even to $5,000.

The M.D. has just removed three loads of garbage from the edge of rancher Doug Fraser's property."Smartphone camera apps offer greater control over mobile photographs.I get very upset because people are being very disrespectful of the property and the countryside," he said. "I mean, it's beautiful."Fraser says the most recent pile of garbage dropped on the edge of his rolling ranch would fill half a dump truck."In this pile of garbage here was an abandoned barbecue and a couple of old chairs, so why would you do this?" he asked.

The load sure ticked off Fraser and his neighbour, who rooted through a bag of it and found a pizza receipt with a cell phone number. When he called it up he was hung up on.While suspicious, there is no chance of a fine anyway because no one saw the illegal dumping taking place."It makes me really mad," as he surveys another popular dump zone, one he says could be the site of a camera should council move on that.

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