City officials demand an end to what they call a 'dumping epidemic' in Northeast Queens. NY1's Shannan Ferry explains why they're asking for the public's help to find those responsible.
Hundreds of tires have already been illegally dumped onto the side of the Clearview Expressway. Officials say the issue has only been getting worse.
"Since January, we've picked up about 1,230 tires from this area," said Richard Gippetti, the Borough Planner for the NYC DOT Queens Borough Commissioner's Office.
On Tuesday, City Councilman Barry Grodenchik and State Assemblyman David Weprin publically addressed the mess during a news conference on 73rd Avenue.
They were joined by representatives from the Department of Transportation, Department of Sanitation and the NYPD.
"We do want to call out whoever is dumping this and say to them, either stop or we are gonna stop you," Grodenchik said.
Officials also asked anyone who witnesses illegal dumping in the future to file a complaint with the city.
"If you report it to us, and you go through the whole process of helping us prosecute the person, then whatever fines that we collect half of it will come to you," said Iggy Terranova, the Citywide Community Affairs Officer for the NYC Dept. of Sanitation.
Terranova added that the discarded tires have become more than an eyesore and have created some costly cleanup expenses.
Sgt. Robert Serra also warned that anyone caught illegally dumping could lose their vehicle and any of their equipment.
"The city will claim it, and then they'll take it away, and you will have to pay for charges sanitation stated for cleanup," Serra said.
Sanitation officials reminded residents they're entitled to bring up to four tires to a sanitation garage for disposal a day. Business owners must go through a vendor.