Camden fights illegal dumpers with cameras, education and a reward offer

CAMDEN — A grassy field in a remote part of North Camden probably seemed ideal for a man looking to dump debris from a demolition job.

But the contractor didn't know a surveillance camera overlooks the isolated spot as part of Camden’s Eye in the Sky system.

And he likely was shocked one day later, when police used video from that camera and an automated license plate reader to identify him, charge him — and then to seek the forfeiture of his truck.

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But local officials do want people to know how aggressively they pursues the dumpers who each year drop an estimated 40 tons of trash in the city.

So, at a recent press conference, they touted a system that’s charged 12 suspects — and seized one vehicle — in connection with 23 dumping incidents since Nov. 1, 2023.“Our city is no one’s trash can,” said Camden County Deputy Police Chief Janell Simpson, who shared a podium with the mayor, a congressman and other elected officials.

Camden's effort is newly bolstered by a reward offer, ranging from $500 to $1,000, for tips that lead to arrests and convictions in dumping cases.

It’s also helped by the addition of 120 surveillance cameras, which can simultaneously look in 330 directions, said County Police Lt. Gordon Harvey.

About 80 percent of the cameras, funded through a $500,000 federal grant obtained by U.S. Rep. Don Norcross, were installed from July 2023 to February of this year, said Police Lt. Gordon Harvey said.

The surveillance system feeds about 700 views onto a wall-size screen monitored from a darkened room at the downtown police station.

One of those cameras is trained on the 500 block of Byron Street, a narrow road along North Camden's riverfront. It recorded the contractor who dumped the demolition debris in February, Harvey said.

The suspect explained his actions by noting his truck was unregistered, so he could not use a legitimate dumping site.

Also, Harvey said with a tone of disbelief, the dumper noted “the city has people to pick up the trash.”

Many dumping incidents are the result of suburban contractors looking to lower their costs, officials said.

But Camden is also one of the region’s largest recipients of state grants to reduce a problem with local roots — littering and graffiti.

It’s received about $157,000 in Clean Communities funding from the state’s current budget, trailing only Cherry Hill, $200,000, and Gloucester Township, $165,000, in Camden County.

The anti-dumping push includes an educational effort to promote the appropriate way for residents to dispose of bulk trash, noted Mayor Vic Carstarphen.

He said residents also are being encouraged to report illegal dumping, and to expect action as a result.

"It's all about responsibility and accountability," said Harvey.

Police and city inspectors look for fresh dump sites on a daily basis “in person and virtually using cameras,” according to a statement from Camden County.

Dumping incidents are investigated “using all available resources,” it added.

“Detectives review city and private videos, conduct witness statements, document crime scenes and examine and collect physical evidence,” the statement said. “Reports are written and all records are compiled into a case file some rivaling violent crime investigations in size and scope.”

In addition, a retired police officer works as a part-time detective for illegal dumping cases. That’s allowed police to streamline investigations and react more quickly to dumping trends, the county’s statement said.

Simpson noted dump sites can create health risks and harm the environment.

But they also send a damaging message to the people who live and work in Camden, she added.

“This is not just an eyesore,” the deputy chief noted. “It undermines the pride we have in our city.”

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Camden fights illegal dumpers with cameras, education and a reward offer