A surveillance camera program at a San Tan Valley shopping plaza has proven successful in combating multiple illegal activities, leading Pinal County officials to plan an expansion of the initiative to other known dump sites throughout the county.
The program, which began in late 2023, was implemented at the Home Depot shopping plaza at Hunt Highway and Gary Road after residents contacted District 2 Supervisor Mike Goodman about illegal dumping in the area. While the county couldn’t directly clean up the privately-owned shopping center, the Development Services Code Compliance Division worked with property owners to install surveillance cameras.
“We’ve been able to access and put the cameras on site,” said Supervisor Goodman. “When you look at the dumpsters out here, we’ve substantially reduced that and then also the illegal parking. We don’t have any squatters here, we don’t have any of the RVs that are being parked here, and I think a lot of that has to do with the cameras that we have put in these particular locations.”
The success has prompted plans to expand the program. “We’ve been so successful at this that now we’re going to be putting cameras in other locations throughout the county,” Goodman said.
In addition to the camera initiative, Pinal County maintains a rewards program to combat illegal dumping. The program offers $500 rewards for tips that lead to charges being filed against illegal dumpers. The reward fund is sustained through fines paid by those caught illegally dumping. Defendants may have the opportunity to enroll in a diversion program to avoid potential conviction by admitting responsibility and participating in community service and cleanup efforts.
Those interested in reporting illegal dump sites, organizing volunteer cleanup efforts or just learning more about the program can visit www.pinal.gov/KeepPinalPristine.
