Florida Neighborhood Residents Fight Back Against Illegal Dumping Fines

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Residents in a Fort Lauderdale neighborhood are up in arms after receiving fines for illegal dumping in an alley behind their homes. The alley, located between Northwest Fifth Court and Fifth Street, has become a catch-all for discarded construction debris, used motor oil, tires, furniture, and more.

Residents Unfairly Penalized

Homeowners, including Frank Frione, are frustrated with the city’s approach. Despite reporting ongoing issues with illegal dumping, Frione and his neighbors are facing fines up to $240 for the mess in the alley.

“It’s a constant problem,” Frione said. “We’re getting these notices and citations, and it feels like it’s our responsibility, even though we didn’t cause the problem.”

Safety Concerns and Retaliation

Residents are also wary of confronting illegal dumpers due to safety concerns. One resident’s daughter-in-law encountered hostility when she tried to intervene, exacerbating the situation.

City’s Ordinances and Response

According to Fort Lauderdale city officials, property owners adjacent to public alleys are responsible for their upkeep under City Ordinance 24-4. Violations are addressed under City Ordinance 24-7(B). While the city has historically removed debris at its own expense if the property owner was not responsible, residents still face citations.

A city spokesperson clarified, “When issuing a violation, we investigate the source of the dumping. If the property owner is not at fault, the city has previously removed debris at no cost. If the debris is determined to belong to the property owner, they can avoid the removal fee by handling the cleanup themselves.”

Community Efforts and Next Steps

In response to the issue, some residents have proposed measures like blocking off the alley and installing surveillance cameras to deter illegal dumping. Susan Grant, the acting city manager, is working with local police and code enforcement to tackle the problem. Residents are advised to report illegal dumping to Code Enforcement or the Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD).

The next scheduled reinspection for the property is set for September 19, 2024.

City Statement:

"The neighborhood includes several alleys that are publicly accessible. Per city ordinance 24-4, adjacent property owners are responsible for maintaining these alleys. Violations are cited under ordinance 24-7(b). When a violation is issued, we investigate to determine the cause of the dumping. If the property owner is not responsible, the city has previously removed debris at our expense. Property owners can avoid removal fees if they are found to be responsible for the debris. For assistance with debris removal, property owners can contact the Sanitation Division for special pick-ups. The next Code Enforcement activity is a reinspection on September 19, 2024. Residents should report illegal dumping to Code Enforcement or FLPD."

Residents are calling for greater city support to address the ongoing problem of illegal dumping and to ensure they are not unfairly penalized.