Oakland deploys surveillance cameras to prosecute illegal dumping
OAKLAND, Calif. - The city of Oakland is now using surveillance cameras in an attempt to crackdown on illegal dumping.
But is it enough?
All kinds of garbage lines and in some cases blocks the streets around an East Oakland neighborhood.
"It’s sad. It’s disappointing. You’re like, who is doing this?" said Jackie Graves homeowner.
"We’ve had ATM machines, stolen car parts, we’ve had cars burned."
Arcadia Park with its late 2000s stucco homes with manicured lawns is where Rochelle Baxter Green bought a house and built a life.
But she says it’s gone downhill.
"We get a lot of dumping, like the dumping is completely and totally out of control," said Rochelle Baxter Green, who serves as president of the Arcadia Park HOA.
"We feel like we’ve been left out here to fend for ourselves."
Baxter Green and her neighbors complain to city leaders and report dumping through the website "See, Click, Fix" but a week goes by before city crews clean it up.
"As many times as we have tried to have this matter addressed with the city, we don’t get anywhere, and we’re just tired, like, we’re really tired."
The city of Oakland told KTVU they’re cracking down by recently adding fifteen new license plate readers to catch violators in the act, with plans to have thirty cameras citywide monitoring hot spots 24/7, the same type deployed over the summer across the Bay Area.
Oakland has been using these cameras for illegal dumping since 2022.
Footage will be used to build cases against offenders, with fines up to $1,000 per day.
But those who live in Arcadia Park know from experience, more dumping will soon follow.
"Basically, a disaster and it’s constant," said homeowner Yaz Widatalla. "East Oakland needs help. You want to talk about equity, like that’s the huge thing now. Equity, right? I don’t see equity here. At this point, I don’t think the city cares."
"Literally, you’ll see the entire block just filled with trash," said homeowner Jackie Graves. "Somebody came in with a truck full, unloaded, and just took off. The whole block."
After KTVU told Oakland Public Works where the trash was dumped in Arcadia Park, neighbors said crews showed up and hauled it away.
A spokesperson for Oakland Public Works told KTVU illegal dumping is one of their top priorities and crews will clear a mess as soon as they can.
Those crews are out seven days a week.
City officials are also reminding the public to share photos or other identifying information when reporting illegal dumping.
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