Fwd: “DON'T DUMP ON LA” NEWS CONFERENCE TO KICK OFF CAMPAIGN IN SOUTH LOS ANGELES AND WILMINGTON
Tamiko Nakamoto
From: Richard Lee <Richa...@lacity.org>
Date: Wed, Nov 19, 2008 at 1:50 PM
Subject: "DON'T DUMP ON LA" NEWS CONFERENCE TO KICK OFF CAMPAIGN IN
SOUTH LOS ANGELES AND WILMINGTON
To: Richard Lee <Richa...@lacity.org>
Contact: Richard E. Lee
(213) 978-0333
(213) 978-0324
Email: richa...@lacity.org
or
Frank Mateljan
Press Deputy
City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo
(213) 978-8340
LOS ANGELES (November 17, 2008) - The City of Los Angeles will conduct
a news conference to introduce a new Illegal Dumping Prevention Campaign
called "Don't Dump on LA," Public Works Board President Cynthia M.
Ruiz said today. "The campaign will stress the City's $1,000 reward
to citizens who report incidences of illegal dumping that lead to the
arrest and conviction of offenders."
The news conference is scheduled on Thursday, November 20, 10:00 a.m.,
at the intersection of Lanzit Ave. and 112th Street, in South Los
Angeles, near Watts. The City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works,
City Attorney's Office and EnvironmentLA (Environmental Affairs
Department) will conduct the conference.
"Don't Dump on LA," will target severely impacted sections of
Council Districts 8, 9, and 15 in South Los Angeles and Wilmington.
EnvironmentLA was awarded a $500,000 California Integrated Waste
Management Board grant on behalf of the City to combat illegal dumping
and fund the campaign. Grant funds will target three main components:
cleanup of chronic, illegal dumping sites; additional surveillance of
known illegal dumping problem areas; and community outreach for
prevention and proactive approaches. The campaign will serve as a pilot
for the development of an effective incentive and enforcement strategy
citywide.
"By conducting this campaign, we hope to encourage citizens to report
illegal dumping when they see it occurring to help keep our City clean
and beautiful," said Ruiz. "While the campaign will stress the
reward, we remind citizens to call 3-1-1, the city's 24-hour, non
emergency hotline, to report violators. All calls are strictly
confidential," added Ruiz.
Radio ads on selected stations, in both English and Spanish language,
will begin airing as early as late December and early January.
Associated websites and radio talk shows will feature the campaign, as
well. In-theater ads on illegal dumping prevention also will start to
appear at Magic Johnson Theaters in the Crenshaw district during the
same time period.
Illegal dumping cleanup efforts cost the City about $12 million
annually. Offenders can face misdemeanor or felony convictions. If
convicted of a misdemeanor, an offender can receive a sentence of six
months in jail or a fine of up to $3,000, according to California State
Penal Code section 374 .4. For a felony conviction, the fine can be as
much as $10,000 or three years in prison, according to State Penal Code
374.8. Los Angeles Municipal Code 66.25 documents the penalty as six
months in jail or a
fine of $1,000, or both.
In 2005, a South Los Angeles Illegal Dumping Prevention Collaborative
was formed to develop prevention strategies to combat the problem and
prioritize problem locations. Members are the Department of Public
Works, the City Attorney's Neighborhood Prosecutor Program, City
Council Districts 8, 9 and 15, LAPD Southeast, Southwest, 77th and
Harbor Divisions. Also, the Departments of Building and Safety,
Transportation, Housing, Water and Power and the LAPD South LA Area
Senior
Lead officers.
About the Department of Public Works
The Public Works Department is the third largest municipal agency in
the City, focused on the essential needs for a better quality of life
and environmental protection. With 5,700 employees and a $1 billion
annual budget, the department is responsible for construction,
renovation and operation of public facilities and infrastructure
including: municipal buildings and treatment facilities; streets, street
lights, and urban forest; bridges and sidewalks; sewers, catch basins
and storm drains; recycling and integrated
solid waste management. For more information about the Department of
Public Works call the Public Works Public Affairs Office at (213)
978-0333, email: P...@lacity.org., or visit the website:
www.lacity.org/bpw.
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REL 11-17-08