LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB)--- Council members tell us that Metro Council spends over half a million dollars a year cleaning up dump sites.
That's why it's important to catch the people who are leaving this trash behind.
If you take a look along Parthenia Avenue, you can't miss the piles of trash.
Tires, boxes, and furniture are among the items that have become an eyesore.
It's an issue that some Metro Council members have been addressing.
"Before it was just a slap on the wrist with a littering fine. Now we're gonna keep your car for at least 6 months and up to 12 months," says Councilwoman Marianne Butler, with District 15.
That's exactly what happened Thursday evening.
A truck was impounded after an officer spotted a man who lives nearby illegally dumping.
He cited him under a new ordinance that went into effect in January.
"If they lose their vehicle while they're dumping, then they don't have any way to dump anymore," says Councilman David James of District 6.
On Friday afternoon, council members David James and Marianne Butler spoke to a group of officers to remind them of the new ordinance.
"That we expect them and want them to enforce these ordinances because it does affect the quality of life of all the citizens here," says Councilman David James.
But soon 19 cameras will help that reach up to half a mile, pivot, and zero in on license plates.
Councilwoman Marianne Butler says it shouldn't take very long before all the cameras are up and are catching people who illegally dump.
"They're solar powered, but once we make sure the power pack and everything's working, which hopefully next week we'll have that in place we'll have 19 cameras up in less than a month," says Councilwoman Marianne Butler.
They're also encouraging people to go online to help.
You can post photos online on the Solid Waste Management website, or help identify people illegally dumping to put a stop to the problem. You can click here to get to the website.
No matter whose car you are driving, whether it be borrowed or your own, officials say it will be impounded if you're caught illegally dumping.
They say you would pay close to $3,500 dollars in fines in the six months it is impounded.
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