For Immediate Release

CITY OF NEWARK’S ILLEGAL DUMPING CAMPAIGN SCORES WITH ARREST OF OUT-OF TOWN ILLEGAL DUMPER

Arrest result of city-wide campaign to urge residents to speak up and report illegal dumping in their neighborhoods; Newark residents can earn cash rewards of up to $1,000 for reporting illegal dumping to telephone tipline

Newark, NJ – May 7, 2009 – Mayor Cory A. Booker and Director of Neighborhood and Recreational Services announced today that the City of Newark’s “Report Illegal Dumping” campaign scored another major success today with the arrest of Alex Diaz Amaya on Old McCarter Highway, between Verona and Grafton Avenues. This is the 14th arrest Newark has made for illegal dumping since its Illegal Dumping Task Force was re-activated in November 2008.

In announcing the arrest, the Mayor brought attention to work of the Illegal Dumping Task Force and the “Report Illegal Dumping” campaign, which the City began in February 2009, offering rewards of up to $1,000 to residents who report such incidents to the Illegal Dumping Hotline at (973) 733-6471.

“Today’s arrest of Alex Diaz-Amaya, who was caught illegally dumping in our North Ward, further demonstrates the steps we are taking to ensure that Newark remains a beautiful city for our residents,” said Mayor Booker. “I commend Director Waldrop and his team for a job well done, and thank Inspector Shakur for his courage in pursuing the individual in question. I urge our residents to be proactive and continue helping us in our fight against illegal dumping.”

According to Director Waldrop, Sanitation Supervisor Amani Shakur was driving out of the City’s salt mine at 10:10 a.m. this morning on Old McCarter Highway at Grafton Avenue. Upon spotting an 80,000-ton dump truck dropping red clay onto the side of the street, Mr. Shakur blew his horn, and the truck driver dumped his load and attempted to escape. A minor chase ensued involving the driver and Mr. Shakur, during which red clay and other debris from the dump truck were released unto the road.

Inspector Shakur continued pursuing the truck down McCarter Highway. “It was a slow car chase but we finally got him,” the three-year veteran supervisor said. At one point, the dump truck stopped, and Mr. Diaz-Amaya ran out to latch the tail door. Inspector Shakur took advantage of the break in the chase to call for police support and take photographs of the vehicle and its driver. The pursuit extended to Jefferson and Lafayette Streets, where it came to an abrupt end after the dump truck became stuck behind a BMW along the narrow street.

Shortly thereafter, Newark Police arrived to arrest the Mr. Diaz-Amaya and impound the truck. The Illegal Dumping Task Force confiscated the vehicle, which belonged to Chunchi Trucking LLC., of Kearny. The debris was identified as coming from a construction site.

Mr. Diaz-Amaya, 42, of Union City, New Jersey, is being charged with Illegal Dumping, Illegal Transport of Solid Waste, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and faces fines of up to $10,000.

“I hope that this arrest will cause people to think twice about using our City as a dumpsite for their garbage and debris,” Director Waldrop said. “I also want to congratulate Sanitation Supervisor Amani Shakur for his alertness and persistence in helping to capture the individual who committed this egregious act against our City.”

The “Report Illegal Dumping” campaign is offering rewards of up to $1,000 to residents who report such incidents to the Newark Police Department and the Department of Neighborhood and Recreational Services. Reports that lead to the City filing a complaint against a suspected dumper will generate rewards of up to $1,000. The City has already started issuing fliers, posting display ads on bus shelters and billboards to promote the campaign.
Director Waldrop advised Newark residents on how to safely and proactively report illegal dumping in their own neighborhoods.

“Do not endanger yourself or approach the dumper,” he said. “Take note of the exact location of the dumping incident, providing cross-streets and landmarks if you do not know the address. List the materials being dumped. Take note of the color, make, model, and license plate number of the dumper’s vehicle, if he or she has one. It is also important to record the physical description, clothing, gender, ethnicity and defining marks of the illegal dumpers by taking notes or photographs so our Illegal Dumping team can readily identify them and make arrests.

Director Waldrop added the names and contact information of anyone who calls in an illegal dumping tip would be kept confidential, although as witnesses, they may be asked to attend court proceedings.

“When illegal dumping occurs on privately-owned property, the property owner is responsible for removing the debris. However, if a property owner finds that other people are illegally dumping materials on his property, he or she can contact the Police Department and the Department of Neighborhood and Recreational Services. A police report will be generated, and the Division of Sanitation will assist in removing the debris,” Director Waldrop noted. “We do not want our property owners to become victims of illegal dumpers.”

For more information on this and other Newark Municipal services and programs, contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.

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