Illegal dump sites found along East Albany dirt road

ALBANY — Officials at Keep Albany-Dougherty Beautiful are attempting to send a message on the importance of residents being vigilant and reporting instances in which they witness an illegal dumping.

On Silica Road, off of Cason Street in East Albany, there are currently a number of illegal dump sites, including brick piles that an area that a brick mason reportedly dumped.

“Of course, this is a bad reflection (on our community),” said Judy Bowles, executive director of Keep Albany-Dougherty Beautiful.

In this particular case, Bowles said, a resident witnessed the act, followed the person to a gas station and was able to get the individual’s tag number and report it.

“The only way we are going to be successful is if someone reports these things to us,” Bowles said. ” … Citizens are our eyes and ears. Enforcement cannot be everywhere.”

Officials at Keep-Albany Dougherty Beautiful stress that any individual with a Dougherty County license plate can go to a landfill in the county and dump up to 250 pounds of debris a day at no charge. Those without a Dougherty tag are charged $37 a ton.

This particular incident took place roughly a month ago. Officials identified the individual responsible for the dumping as Kynard McCray. He has since been fined $750 and given 10 days to clean up the site. There was another stack in the area that he has since cleaned up, Bowles said.

The road is a popular one for illegal dumping, with items such as tires and washing machines having been found there. The brick pile is one of a few dump sites along the road, and officials estimate it will cost taxpayers $700-$1,000 to clear out the entire street.

“Every taxpayer in Dougherty County is paying for this,” Bowles said.

Those who witness illegal dumping in the act are encouraged to call 911. If the site is found after the fact, individualss are being advised to report their find to 311.