AKRON, Ohio — Akron officials have announced a new plan in order to reduce the amount of illegal tire dumping happening throughout the city.
Akron Fire, Akron Police, City Council, the City Prosecutor’s office, Keep Akron Beautiful and the City’s Public Service Department are working together on this issue as they estimate that over 3,000 tires have been dumped in vacant lots or abandoned homes/properties.
“We’ve known for quite some time that the issue of illegal dumping has become more prevalent,” said Deputy Service Director Eufrancia Lash. “It’s a complex problem due to the cost to recycle these tires as well as limited ability to get rid of large quantities at once. We’re bringing all our resources together to combat this problem across our city using creative solutions and the community’s help.”
As part of the efforts, the Akron Prosecutor's Office is reminding individuals that they are "committed to prosecuting these crimes when individuals are found to be illegally transporting and dumping tires."
Offenses range from first-degree misdemeanors to unclassified felonies, which could result in fines between $50,000 to $25,000 as well as 4-6 years in prison.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The video at the top of the story previously aired on 3News on Feb. 27, 2023, in an unrelated story.
The City of Akron estimates that the issue of illegal tire dumping would cost them nearly $75,000 each year.
Recently, Akron Fire and Akron Police have been discussing the ongoing issue as well.
“The Akron Fire Department has been quite active with our Fire Prevention Bureau heading up the recent inspection of approximately 30 tire and auto shops within the City," said Akron Fire Chief Joseph Natko. "Not only is improper tire storage a violation of City ordinance, but it also poses a significant fire hazard to civilians and our firefighters as well.”
Keep Akron Beautiful is working to help mitigate the cost of clean-up efforts by applying for a grant from the state.
“Perception matters. If an area feels safe, it likely has a lower crime rate,” said Keep Akron Beautiful CEO Jacqui Flaherty-Ricchiuti. “But what contributes to that sense of safety? Cleanliness seems to matter. Broken bottles, garbage and illegally dumped items, such as tires, mattresses, and furniture, can all create a sense of jeopardy and a perception that people don’t care. Keep Akron Beautiful recently worked with the Akron Police Department to overlay our frequently littered areas map with the 2022 crime map. It is not surprising that the areas of high litter, are the areas of high crime, which is why it is so important to take pride in our city.”
The City of Akron also offered ways that residents can help solve this problem:
- If you see something suspicious, such as an individual unloading tires onto a property you know to be abandoned, please call Akron Police non-emergency line at 330-375-2181 or you can submit an anonymous tip by downloading the Akron PD app powered by TIP411 for free from Apple or Android devices
- Call 3-1-1 or go online to akronohio.gov/311 to report dumping sites for clean-up
- Spread the word! Make sure your neighbors know to be on the lookout and be vigilant when it comes to keeping our city clean.
- Call for a bulk pick-up. If you have tires you need to get rid of, call 3-1-1 to schedule a pick-up. Residents can place up to 4 tires on the curb per year As a reminder, these won’t get picked up with your regular trash but rather a separate truck will be around to collect your bulk items
EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on Feb. 27, 2023.