The City of Hayward held a community meeting on Nov. 2 at City Hall to discuss community preservation and the improvement of city ordinance in relation to waste disposal.

David Korth, a neighborhood services manager, assembled the meeting to discuss the city’s goal to eliminate illegal dumping.

City officials hope an ordinance revision will enhance the city’s ability to enforce the code violations that occur in the public right of way.

In the past, city officials have witnessed individuals dumping furniture, motor oil, yard waste, tires and trash in vacant lots, alleys, on sidewalks and on resident’s private properties.

The number of improper waste disposal cases has doubled in the last two years from 514 to 1,081 and the problem continues to grow.

A presentation was given that showed the improvements that needed to be made and discussed the concerns of illegal waste disposal. The concerns included public health, safety, property value and quality of life.

Attendees were informed that improper disposal of waste can potentially bring about health risks and ultimately jeopardize public safety.

Dumping waste in non-designated areas can lead to the forming of breeding grounds for mosquitoes who can carry diseases.

For apartment building owner Steve Cansey, illegal waste disposal has jeopardized his realty business.

“I was forced to close my parking lot because people dumped trash and I can’t get any service for someone to pick it up,” he said. “I have to haul it away myself.”

Cansey is not alone in his frustrations. Long time Hayward resident, Florida Banks says she’s had enough of the over-piling waste problem.

“I’m tired of people constantly putting things out in residential areas,” said Banks. “They should be given a citation.”

Attendees were informed that there are ways to solve the growing illegal waste disposal problem, such as annual bulky waste pickup—which removes the waste for a year, with no charge—or hiring a licensed contractor.

Several community members did not think it was their responsibility to clean up waste that others have dumped illegally.

“My business must be a magnet for dumping,” said Andy Wilson, local thrift store owner. “I shouldn’t be held accountable for the dumping.”

After community members expressed their concerns with illegal waste disposal, attendees were introduced to new methods the City of Hayward has developed to improve the city’s appearance.

The City of Hayward has planned to team up with other Bay Area organizations to tackle the increasing waste problem.

The Keep Hayward Clean and Green Task Force has volunteers that clean up waste every weekend, while the Adopt-a-Block organization allows people to adopt a section of Hayward to maintain its cleanliness.

The City of Hayward also started a grabber truck that operates Monday through Friday. The truck will pick up waste throughout Hayward.

Cameras have been placed in “hot spots,” locations where people always tend to drop waste off at. The cameras have a voice that warns the violators they will be punished, and also has a flash that captures their picture.

The cameras will be moved weekly throughout Hayward to protect the various “hot spots.”

City officials said the City of Hayward is working together to make Hayward a safe, clean and green community.