Environmental Crimes Task Force
Cleveland and Cuyahoga County law enforcement agencies have partnered to stop illegal dumping and environmental crimes in the 59 communities of Cuyahoga County.
The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Environmental Crimes Task Force works to investigate and prosecute environmental crimes, particularly open dumping. Open dumping of scrap tires, garbage and other debris is a felony in the State of Ohio and punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 and a jail sentence of two to four years.
Help us put an end to illegal dumping. It is a crime against your neighborhood, your property values and your health.
About the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Environmental Crimes Task Force
The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Environmental Crimes Task Force is a coalition of public agencies working to end the problem of open dumping in our community.
The partners work to aggressively identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for violating the environmental laws of the State of Ohio. Such felony crimes include illegal dumping of solid waste, construction debris and scrap tires; illegal hauling and disposal of scrap tires; scrap metal theft; illegal disposal of hazardous waste and more.
Partners include the City of Cleveland, Cleveland Division of Police, Cleveland Health Department, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor, Cuyahoga County Sheriff, Cuyahoga County Board of Health, and the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District.
Contact Sergeant Matthew West at (216) 857-5972 or send an email.
Report Illegal Dumping
Report illegal dumping to your city using the instructions below or file a tip on Crime Stoppers (details below). If you see dumping as it occurs, you can help law enforcement by taking photos or videos to document the vehicle, license plate number, and people committing the crimes. Writing down a description, if you are able, is also helpful.
In the City of Cleveland
If you find an area where illegal dumping has occurred already, call the City of Cleveland at (216) 664-DUMP (3867) to report the dumping. If a resident witnesses illegal dumping in process, they can call the Cleveland Police non-emergency line at (216) 621-1234. If a conviction occurs, the witness is eligible to receive 50 percent of the collected fees.
In Other Communities
If you observe illegal dumping while it is happening, call 9-1-1 and report it immediately. If you find an area where illegal dumping has already occurred, call your local police department's non-emergency number to report the illegal dumping activity. Once a report is made, request that they forward the report to the Environmental Crimes Task Force for investigation.
In the State of Ohio
Illegal dumping of solid wastes is an unsightly and unhealthy problem in neighborhoods across Ohio, and Attorney General Yost’s Environmental Enforcement Section (EES) is committed to cracking down on it. In 2023, the State of Ohio launched Shine a Light on Dumpers.
Crime Stoppers of Cuyahoga County
Crime Stoppers will pay a cash reward up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of any suspected illegal dumper.
Call Crime Stoppers at (216) 252-7463 or submit a tip here.