In a concerted effort to address the ongoing issue of illegal dumping in Williamson County, authorities have intensified their efforts to curb this environmental problem. Williamson County Precinct 4 Constable Paul Leal has been particularly vocal about the issue, as his jurisdiction has become a frequent target for such activities. "Unfortunately, we are the prime target here in Williamson County," Leal said, according to KXAN. He strongly warned, "If you dump on us in Williamson County Precinct 4, we will do everything we can to find out who you are and we will put you in jail for it."
To actively deter offenders, the county launched the "You dump it, you clean it" program in 2021. This initiative allows those who have dumped their trash illegally to rectify their action by cleaning up the site and providing a receipt from the landfill. Upon completion, the offense can be reduced to a class C misdemeanor. "We say you go out, clean it up, you take it to the landfill and provide us a receipt and we will reduce it to a class C misdemeanor," Constable Leal detailed in a statement obtained by KXAN. Should individuals decline to comply, they could face a state jail felony.
Moreover, the implementation of approximately 100 surveillance cameras has been part of the county's strategy to catch perpetrators in the act. However, tips from county residents are also crucial to this ongoing battle against illegal dumping. The aggressive pursuit of violators has paid dividends, reducing the amount of debris from over 650 tons in 2019 to under 200 tons within two years of the program's inception, as Leal informed KXAN. This waste reduction not only helps maintain a cleaner environment but also translates to significant savings for taxpayers, with an estimated $750,000 conserved as a result of these efforts.
Constable Leal also drew attention to a recent case in which a suspect in illegal dumping activities left evidence at the scene. "Weren't very smart about it. You left a letter that looks like the Travis County Jail may have mailed you," Leal pointed out, as per FOX 7 Austin.
In such situations, officers aim to encourage offenders to come forward, clean the sites, and avoid harsher penalties. "We put people in jail for it all the time. I always tell people, if you dump on us in Williamson County Precinct 4 we're going to do everything we can to find out who you are. If you don't come clean it up and take it to the landfill and provide us with proof, we're going to put you in jail for it," Leal stated in the report by FOX 7 Austin.
