Detroit cracks down on dumping; cops seek serial suspect

DETROIT (WJBK) - Many Detroiters feel discouraged with piles of garbage line so many of their city streets.

"This is not a place for you to bring your debris," said resident Dennis Talbert. 

The piles include mattresses, tires, rotting shelves and televisions.
 
 "I love my city so when I see people have dumped things in the city," Byron Brooks said. "It shows a lack of concern."

But now Detroit police are putting some pressure on illegal dumpers.
 
"It's a relentless fight," said Lt. Rebecca McKay. "We're not going to stop. If you are dumping in this city we are going to come after you."

Police caught two men on camera last month identified as Paul Bennett of Redford and Shaun Hall Jr. of Detroit. The two pulled up in a black Chevy on the city's west side and, looking like they just cleaned out a garage, they were recorded emptying the truck.
 
"They were pretty blatant about it," McKay said. "It didn't seem like they were worried at all."

A pile of burned up wood next to their debris, was dumped the day before.

"I would call them serial dumpers," McKay said. "For two days in a row they're out there dumping."

Police watched them live and contacting cops at the Second Precinct. Bennett and Hall were fined $1,000 each at the scene as the Bennett, the driver, is arrested.

"He decided to use our city as a trash can," McKay said. "We don't appreciate it and we showed him."

The truck was impounded and Bennett charged. But instead of just giving Hall a ticket, police later got a warrant for his arrest.
 
"We're putting the handcuffs on them, they're getting mug (shots), (finger) printed," McKay said. "They're going to have a record when this is all said and done."

McKay says this more aggressive way of going after illegal dumpers appears to be working. She says, once arrested they haven't had many repeat offenders.

"You're going to lose your freedom, it's going to cost you a ton of money," McKay said.

Now Detroit police are asking for your help Thursday as they hunt for Hall, hoping someone will turn in this serial dumper.

"We're doing everything we possibly can within our power to bring these individuals to justice and keep or city clean," McKay said.