The M.D. of Foothills is hoping to nab people dumping trash in the area illegally by installing cameras in strategic areas this year.

While dumping along the ditches and public areas in the M.D. is nothing new, but according to Division 6 Reeve Larry Spilak this year it seems to be quite extreme.

He hopes the extra surveillance will make people think twice about dumping in the M.D., as the cleanup costs the region money, and resources.

"We have to use our staff to go out and clean up this garbage, of course this costs money and in some cases this can be very expensive. For example we did have one person that did dump a large load of construction material, concrete and things of that nature, and it cost us quite a bit of money to send a CAT out, staff, and loader to get the garbage to the landfill."

Spilak says not only will the surveillance allow the MD to fine people, but may also prevent dumping by individuals who don't want to be tried by the court of public opinion.

"The penalty should we catch the people doing this, in my opinion, is not high enough, it's only a $500 fine. But I'm hoping the embarrassment of having the public know they were doing this would be enough to curtail it going forward."

Spilak adds he doesn't believe there is a lot of people dumping in the Foothills, in most cases it's repeat offenders.

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