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SYDNEY, N.S. — Officials may be hoping recent tougher penalties for illegal dumping will reduce the number of illicit dump sites, but so far the numbers have actually doubled.

“Our calls so far this year have over doubled from the same period last year,” said Const. Dan Lewis who had just returned to his office after attempting to investigate a new dumping site in the Homeville/Mira Gut area that he couldn’t reach because of impassable road conditions left over from this week’s snowstorm.

“I believe last year in the period between the first of January and the 31st of March, there was 25 I believe were investigated and this year we’re up over 60 for the same time period.”

Lewis, who is with the Cape Breton Regional Police Service, has been working with the Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s Solid Waste Department since January to help the department find ways to lessen illegal dumping. In February, amendments to the solid waste resource-management bylaw came into effect, making it easier for police to charge offenders. With enough evidence, police can file a summary offence ticket before the court with minimum fines starting at $697.50 for a first offence, which doubles for second offences.

“So far this year, there’s been five people charged and two calls are presently under investigation and charges are likely,” Lewis confirmed.

Lewis says he has no idea why the numbers have doubled, although he’s hopeful that it’s because people have become more knowledgeable about the problem and therefore more likely to call about it.

“I have no idea as to why but it is certainly a big increase,” said Lewis. “Whether people just weren’t calling in last year —- maybe they’re educated more to call in to the hotline.”

If you see an illegal dump, Lewis recommends that you call the solid waste hotline at 902-567-1337 at any time of the day. The line is manned Monday to Friday, 8:30-4 p.m. but messages can be left at any time and they will be answered.

At this time of year, dumping is becoming more evident as the snows melt. When Lewis hears of a potential dump site, he will go to it and collect evidence. If there’s enough evidence, people are interviewed and charges could be laid.

While dumps are often found in more remote areas, Lewis says there are problem spots in the CBRM as well, such as around the old dump entrance on Teak Street., off Vulcan Avenue, and the Columbus Avenue/Tank Road section of Whitney Pier.

But no matter where the dumps pop up, Lewis says there’s no need for it to happen in the first place.

“The municipality makes it very easy for the residents to dispose of their waste in a proper manner such as placing your garbage at the end of your driveway,” said Lewis. “The site here off of Spar Road is open five days a week including Saturdays, Tuesdays to Saturdays, and this is all free of charge.

“Why people would take the time to drive out of their way and dump this garbage elsewhere is beyond me. I just don’t know why they do it.”

news@cbpost.com

Trash facts

• Weekly seasonal leaf and yard drop off sites that operate one day a week in North Sydney, Glace Bay and New Waterford are now closed but will re-open mid-May.

• Leaf and yard waste can be dropped off year-round at the Waste Management Facility on Spar Road, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday.

• Each civic address is permitted to place a maximum of five garbage bags each week but only one of those five can be a dark bag. The remaining bags must be clear.