Hidden Surveillance Camera Captures Illegal Dumping in Worcester 
 Theft of camera unit is captured on tape, perpetrator apprehended and charged  

In a cooperative effort to combat illegal dumping in the city of Worcester, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), along with the Worcester Department of Public Works & Parks today report success in identifying scofflaws by using hidden cameras installed at a chronic illegal dump site located on parkland in Worcester.

At other sites throughout the Commonwealth, these tiny battery-operated video cameras - triggered by motion sensors - have recorded instances of dumping involving construction waste, appliances, furniture, garbage, and a metal gasoline tank.

* In June 2007, a man and a woman in a pickup truck are recorded dumping a partially filled gasoline tank that was originally attached to a piece of industrial equipment. The tank, later found to contain several gallons of gasoline, is seen on the captured footage spraying its contents on impact. Images captured by the camera show not only the license plate number, but also the trout symbol markings that indicate a plate specifically designated to benefit the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Fish & Wildlife Fund, and the phrase, "Preserve the Trust." The vehicle was registered to Deborah Beckwith of Dudley. Ms. Beckwith received a fine of $1,100, which has been paid.

* Also in 2007, a Millbury man was captured on film dumping a green plastic bag full of yard waste onto the site. David Giguere was cited and paid a fine of $609 to the city as a result of that act. 

* In another instance during the summer of 2007, a Worcester man was arrested for attempting to steal the very surveillance camera monitoring the site. 

One of the Worcester surveillance cameras recorded the theft of a camera focused so as to capture the license plate number of illegal dumpers. The theft of the license plate camera was captured on film by a second camera, which captured the entire incident along with an image of the perpetrator's license plate.

MassDEP Strike Force investigators forwarded the video footage of the theft to Worcester Police. WPD's Community Impact Division investigated and obtained a criminal search warrant, which was served at the home of Joseph Hamel of Worcester. Mr. Hamel was arrested, charged with malicious destruction of property over $250 and larceny over $250. He was arraigned on

those charges on September 20, 2007. The stolen camera was recovered by WPD and returned to MassDEP for redeployment in the community.

The case was heard in Worcester Superior Court on January 4, 2008 and was continued without a finding provided that Mr. Hamel complete monthly supervised probation for one year, and pay all associated probation fees. Additionally, Hamel was ordered to pay restitution to MassDEP for damaged equipment. 

"Illegal dumping of solid and potentially hazardous waste victimize the communities where they occur. This type of illegal dumping defiles public spaces, threatens the environment and raises the cleanup costs for every tax-paying resident," said Martin Suuberg, director of MassDEP's Central Regional Office in Worcester. "Shining a bright light on those violators out there who flout the law is appropriate and will act as a deterrent to prevent any other similar incidents."  

Worcester's City Manager, Michael V. O'Brien, said, "It's a collective effort and as demonstrated here works when all of us are engaged to keep Worcester clean and safe and to protect and preserve our quality of life."

The city of Worcester has a strict anti-dumping bylaw that it enacted through the state legislature in 2005. It allows the city to fine dumpers up to $10,000 depending on severity. The funds go back to the city to help with cleanup and conduct additional enforcement of illegal dumping. In addition to Worcester, other cities in the state such as Fitchburg and Brockton have since adopted similar measures. Fines collected by settlement of the city's cases pursued using Environmental Strike Force footage were dedicated for use in Worcester's anti-dumping efforts.  

Since the start of MassDEP's surveillance camera program in 2005, 13 municipalities have partnered with the department to post these silent sentinels over known dumpsites. The program has resulted in 18 violators being identified and fined by the cities or by MassDEP as a result of dumping incidents captured on surveillance camera footage. The program continues to seek new municipal partners and is currently installing upgraded systems that can be remotely monitored via the internet.

(A copy of the footage showing the three Worcester cases is available from MassDEP.)

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