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 garbage (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, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor, Cuyahoga County Sheriff, Cuyahoga County Board of Health, and the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District.

Report Illegal Dumping

See something, say something!

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 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 already occurred, call Contact Sergeant Matthew West at (216) 857-5972 or send an email to report the dumping. If a resident witnesses illegal dumping in progress, call the Cleveland Police non-emergency line at (216) 621-1234.

In Other Cuyahoga County Communities

If you find an area where illegal dumping has already occurred, call Sergeant Randy Kloos at (216) 217-2720 or send an email to report the illegal dumping activity. If you witness illegal dumping in progress, call your local police department’s non-emergency number to report the illegal 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 waste 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 will pay a cash reward of up to $2,500 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.