YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Tire dumping has been a problem in Youngstown for years.
Used tires have been dumped in vacant lots across the city, and the man in charge of litter control says it’s time to send a message. Bob Burke with Green Youngstown wants to see tougher dumping penalties.
“Making an example of these people dumping tires in our city — then we won’t have the people and the cost will go down for illegal dumping,” Burke said.
Last year alone, the city spent more than $10,000 hauling dumped materials to landfills. Burk told members of Youngstown City Council that another $40,000 in grant money came from the EPA to clean up tires.
There have been a handful of instances where alleged dumpers were caught, but some on Council believe a task force is needed to address the problem.
“What I am saying is that if we are not looking into some kind of enforcement specific for this, we’re just blowing smoke,” said Councilman Jimmy Hughes.
Fire Chief Barry Finley worries about the potential for dumped tires to catch fire, sending toxic smoke into nearby neighborhoods. Fire Chief Barry Finley told council members there are a number of businesses storing thousands of used tires in warehouses or outdoors.
“I think the same thing should apply to businesses,” Finely said. “If that building catches fire, the odds of us putting it out are slim to none.”
Council members say they’ll work on legislation to create a registry of businesses that haul or store used tires as well as stiffer penalties for those caught illegally dumping them.
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