Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful took the opportunity during an enforcement session at the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors' 91st Annual Educational Conference and Trade Show to announced a new pilot grant program using surveillance cameras to help curb illegal dumping.

Applications must be received by May 31 and grants will be awarded mid-June 2013.

The Illegal Dump Surveillance Support Pilot Program is designed to provide surveillance cameras to eligible organizations in western Pennsylvania to help capture evidence at active, illegal dumpsites.

 KPB will loan three high quality surveillance cameras and provide training and assistance to selected applicants.  Grant recipients will work with local enforcement agencies to ultimately reduce illegal dumping through successful prosecutions.

KPB will provide surveillance camera training and installation assistance.  The recipients will maintain and collect evidence of illegal dumping and follow through with prosecutions, partnering with District Justices and local and state enforcement agencies as applicable. 

Recipients will work with local media and KPB to educate the public by publicizing successful prosecutions and proper disposal and recycling options.

“Illegal dumping continues today despite years of cleanups, education, and beautification efforts by thousands of people statewide,” said Shannon Reiter, President, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.  “Surveillance cameras and strengthened enforcement partnerships will make it difficult to anonymously dump and escape prosecution.”

Eligible organizations include municipalities, townships, boroughs, cities, counties as well as nonprofit organizations in western counties within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Private property owners or individuals are not eligible. 

Western Pennsylvania counties include Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Somerset, Venango, Warren, Washington, and Westmoreland.  Priority will be given to applications from southwestern counties.

Final reports, including successful evidence photos and prosecution details, and media coverage, must be submitted by November 30.

For more information, visit the Surveillance Support Grant Program webpage or call 1-877-772-3673 ext. 106 or send email to: surchek@keeppabeautiful.org.

4/29/2013