Following a recent report from CBS News stating that Philadelphia is spending $2 million a year cleaning up illegal dumping, Democratic district attorney challenger Pat Dugan unveiled his enforcement plan to go after the criminals who trash the city and the businesses that enable them.
Dugan faces District Attorney Larry Krasner in the primary.
“For too long, the DA’s office has made excuses instead of enforcing the law. No more. If you dump in our city, you will pay — one way or another,” Dugan said. “Philadelphia needs a DA who fights for our neighborhoods — not for headlines. Every Philadelphian deserves safe, clean streets and a justice system that actually enforces the law.”
Dugan’s plan includes:
• Prosecuting the companies that create the waste, not just the ones caught dumping it.
• Imposing the highest financial penalties allowed by law, making it more expensive to dump illegally than to dispose of waste properly. Revenue from fines will go directly into cleanup and enforcement.
• For chronic polluters, fines won’t be enough — they’ll face jail time.
• The DA’s office will work with city officials to publicly expose convicted violators, ensuring polluters pay not just in fines, but in reputation.
• Dugan will deploy high-tech surveillance, undercover sting operations and GPS tracking on suspected rogue haulers to build ironclad cases against offenders.
• Working with the city to expand legal, affordable disposal options so businesses and residents don’t have excuses to dump illegally.
“Clean, safe streets shouldn’t be a privilege for a few — they should be a right for every Philadelphian, no matter where they live. It’s not just dirt and debris — it’s hazardous waste near our schools, rats in our homes and a black eye for our great city. As Philadelphia prepares to take center stage for America’s 250th birthday, we need leadership that will clean up this mess for good,” Dugan said. ••
