The high quality images have helped identify dumpers and their vehicles and have led to a number of successful prosecutions in and around Boston, USA.
The scheme, run by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, uses IQeye cameras situated around the area.
Started three years ago using analogue cameras and DVRs, the scheme was limited by power supply and image resolution.
Most locations popular for illegal dumping are dark, out of the way places without access to power.
Solar or marine
Now systems are based around megapixel cameras on solar or marine battery power with day/night capability that can capture vehicle plates and act as stand-alone recorders.
So far this has resulted in seven successful prosecutions. Two of these were serious enough for court case prosecutions with the potential for large fines.
Said Tim Dame, an investigator with the department’s Environmental Strike Force: “Once we’re alerted to a new dumping incident, we download the footage from the onboard recording and burn the JPEG frames of the incident onto a CD or create an AVI file.
“We run the vehicle plate number and the municipality issues a ticket, often for $1000 or more. If the perpetrator is a contractor or the waste is of a ‘nastier’ variety, the MassDEP steps in and prosecutes, and then fines can run up to the $25,000 range, depending on volumes and types of waste dumped.”
Megapixel modal
The emerging model for successful prosecution is now IQeye megapixel cameras from IQinVision with video motion detection drawing low power from flexible solar panels. Able to be moved and set up quickly, they are mounted in camouflage grey electrical boxes on poles.
As wi-fi is added, staff will be able to sit in their cars and download video without disturbing the cameras and drawing attention to any on-going surveillance.
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