DeKalb County has initiated a $250,000 cleanup effort aimed at curbing illegal tire dumping, targeting notorious sites known for this violation. In her statement, County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson reported the removal of over 37,000 tires from the community—a massive endeavor with significant implications for environmental health and safety. "DeKalb County has removed or caused to be removed more than 37,000 illegally dumped tires from residential communities, from commercial corridors, from wooded areas," she stated, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta.
The crackdown on this persistent environmental concern has not just resulted in cleanup. Officials have confirmed that recent efforts have led to two warrants in connection to these offenses. According to WSB-TV, Cochran-Johnson has taken a stern stance against offenders: "If you’re dumping tires in DeKalb County, I want you to know that we’re going to hunt you down and hold you accountable." Their resolve is evident as police actively secure warrants for suspects involved in large-scale dumping.
Officials argue for the necessity of tougher legislation to address the illegal dumping crisis, a sentiment echoed by Police Chief Greg Padrick. He has voiced support for transforming these crimes from misdemeanors to felonies to ensure stricter repercussions. "Well, it’s a misdemeanor crime at this time, and we wholeheartedly support the legislation to make these felony crimes for large-scale dumping," Padrick told FOX 5 Atlanta.
There's also recognition that the problem extends to businesses that are supposed to dispose of tires legally but end up contributing to the dumping. As CEO Samantha Miller of TireTREK relayed, her company has faced challenging cleanups extending dozens of feet down hillsides. Meanwhile, lawmakers like Rep. Omari Crawford push for bipartisan efforts to address these issues statewide. Cochran-Johnson told WSB-TV, further citing the impact of illegal dumping on all 159 counties in Georgia.
The county isn't solely focused on cleanup and prosecution. There are plans to launch a program in the first quarter of 2026, intended to encourage residents and businesses to bring in used tires for proper disposal. By addressing the issue from both ends—crackdown and prevention—DeKalb County aims to mitigate an ongoing environmental threat, one discarded tire at a time.
