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Findings and Recommendations 8 findings
F1
Illegal dumping has increased in part because the County has not created a strong, enforceable ordinance to deter illegal dumping.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
By December 31, 2020, develop and adopt an enforceable ordinance to deter illegal dumping which includes a mechanism for collecting fines, an appeals process, and a way to recoup the cost of administration from the illegal dumpers.
F2
There is no designated hearing officer and other staff required to enforce ordinances, leading to less effective enforcement.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
By December 31, 2020, designate an Administrative Hearing Officer along with Public Works staff for enforcement.
F3
San Joaquin County lacks sufficient surveillance equipment to monitor dumping hotspots and to prosecute illegal dumpers.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
By December 31, 2020, obtain and install appropriate surveillance equipment, such as lighting and cameras, in the top five dumping hotspots.
F4
San Joaquin County Public Works Department, Sheriff’s Office, Community Development Department, District Attorney’s Office, and all city departments within the county are not working collaboratively to address the illegal dumping problems.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
By November 30, 2020, create an illegal dumping task force (Task Force) that includes representatives from San Joaquin County Public Works Department, Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, Community Development, and all cities within the County to participate in the Task Force. This Task Force meet regularly throughout the year.
F5
San Joaquin County and the City of Stockton are not working together to share in the cost of illegal dumping cleanup.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
By December 31, 2020, the newly formed Task Force develop a plan to share costs for illegal dumping pickup throughout the County and the City of Stockton.
F6
Free drop-off services are underutilized because the public is unaware of most of the programs offered.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
By January 31, 2021, the Task Force develop and implement a county-wide educational program including billboards, buses, and bus stop shelters advertising to include information about free drop-off services.
F7
San Joaquin County and the City of Stockton do not have a robust referral system for sharing reports of illegal dumping irrespective of jurisdiction.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
By January 31, 2021, the Task Force create a referral system to notify the appropriate jurisdictions of illegal dumping. This referral system include a complaint-recording data log with follow-up measures.
F8
Effective cleanup incentives such as disposal vouchers, fee waivers, and recycling coupons have proven effective in reducing the likelihood of illegal dumping. 19
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
By January 31, 2021, the Task Force develop a written plan to establish an equitable way to fund and issue vouchers, fee waivers, and recycling coupons.
Conclusions 1
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CL1The 2019-2020 Grand Jury found that residents of San Joaquin County lack knowledge of and are not utilizing free resources, such as drop-off services. Residents are also unaware of reporting resources such as the “GoRequest” website. The problem is exacerbated because the public must formally open a complaint for removal of debris, and because one department’s jurisdiction cannot address dumping if it is not in their defined area. The lack of coordinated efforts among the agencies dealing with trash removal is a consistent problem that has not been fully addressed. Other factors include a lack of enforcement, scarcity of staffing, a lack of surveillance methods, and not enough funding to combat this silent environmental threat in our county. Lacking preventive measures, lacking knowledge about free resources, and lacking public input and ideas from the people that are most affected by such negligence all combine to create a perfect storm resulting in a Broken Windows effect. 20 The world just celebrated the 50th Earth Day and great attention was given for the need to better our environment. Fixing the Broken Windows and decreasing the amount of illegal dumping is an enormous challenge, but is vital in making the world a cleaner, healthier place to live. Disclaimers Grand Jury reports are based on documentary evidence and the testimony of sworn or admonished witnesses, not on conjecture or opinion. However, the Grand Jury is precluded by law from disclosing such evidence except upon the specific approval of the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court, or another judge appointed by the Presiding Judge (Penal Code Section 911. 924.1 (a) and 929). Similarly, the Grand Jury is precluded by law from disclosing the identity of witnesses except upon an order of the court for narrowly defined purposes (Penal Code Sections 924.2 and 929). Response Requirements California Penal Code Sections 933 and 933.05 require that specific responses to all findings and recommendations contained in this report be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the San Joaquin County Superior Court within 90 days of receipt of the report. San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors shall respond to all Findings and Recommendations. Stockton City Council shall respond to all Findings and Recommendations, where applicable. Mail or hand deliver a hard copy of the response to: Honorable Xapuri B. Villapudua, Presiding Judge San Joaquin County Superior Court 180 E Weber Ave, Suite 1306J Stockton, California 95202 Also, please email a copy of the response to Ms. Trisa Martinez, Staff Secretary to the Grand Jury, at https://www.sjcourts.org 21
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
San Joaquin County
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