PHOTOS COURTESY CITY OF BENTON HARBOR

BENTON HARBOR, Mich.—The City of Benton Harbor announced on Thursday that it has “launched a war on illegal dumping" throughout the city.

The city says that the piles of trash, tires, and debris are being dumped in alleys, on the sides of roads, on vacant lots, and in the back of people’s homes.

The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, with help from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, launched an investigation into the illegal dumping during the week of March 11. 

Since the investigation began, four arrests have been made.

The city says it will be changing the current trash and rubbish ordinance with increased fines that include the cost of remediation.

There will also be possible vehicle seizure for anyone caught in the act of dumping with the changed ordinance.

Over the course of three and a half years, the city has spent over $169,487 on extra dumpsters needed to remove the illegally dumped trash.

Benton Harbor residents are encouraged to help stop illegal dumping in the community by calling or texting the Illegal Dumping Tip Line at (269) 944-7929.