Newark Council Discusses Strategies to Combat Illegal Dumping and Enhance Community Cleanliness

The Newark Municipal Council meeting on September 4, 2025, focused on addressing the ongoing issue of illegal dumping throughout the city, particularly in areas like Southwell and Westwood. Council members expressed their concerns about the significant amounts of trash accumulating in public spaces and discussed potential solutions to combat this problem.

Councilman Adeam highlighted the need for immediate action, suggesting the installation of lawn signs with QR codes to educate residents about littering and illegal dumping. He emphasized the importance of utilizing clean community funds for educational tools and community outreach. Councilman Kelly echoed these sentiments, noting similar dumping issues in Westwood and advocating for the use of cameras in hotspots to deter illegal dumping.

Councilman Gonzales brought attention to specific locations, such as an empty lot at Third Avenue and Mount Prospect Avenue, which has become a dumping ground. He praised the Department of Public Works (DPW) for their recent improvements in street cleanliness but stressed the need for a strategic plan to address persistent dumping sites. He suggested holding property owners accountable for maintaining their lots to prevent illegal dumping.

Councilman Ramos added that illegal dumping is not only a community issue but also a financial burden on the city, as resources are continually deployed to clean up these areas. He proposed that local businesses could assist by installing cameras on their properties to help catch offenders.

Interim DPW Director Kareem Medina responded to the council's concerns, confirming that the department is exploring options for new cameras to monitor dumping hotspots. He also mentioned plans for a public awareness campaign to inform residents about proper waste disposal and the locations of drop-off centers.

The council's discussions underscored a collective commitment to improving community cleanliness and holding residents and property owners accountable for maintaining their surroundings. The meeting concluded with a call for continued collaboration between the council, DPW, and the community to tackle the issue of illegal dumping effectively.