L.A. City Council looks to fund probes of unlawful dumping [Video]

The Los Angeles City Council Friday approved a motion intended to identify funding sources for investigations into unlawful dumping activities.

The City Council voted 10-0 to instruct the Bureau of Sanitation and Environment and the city administrative office to report on the resources needed that would allow the sanitation’s Watershed Protection Division to resume illegal dumping investigations. City Council members John Lee and Katy Yaroslavsky introduced the motion on Oct. 1.

Council members Bob Blumenfield, Paul Krekorian, Nithya Raman, Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Yaroslavsky were absent during the vote.

According to the motion, some businesses and residents are choosing to “illegally dump” garbage, debris and other harmful substances on streets and sidewalks.

“Illegal dumping is a major contributor to urban blight, but the impact on local communities does not stop there,” the motion reads. “Illegal dumping also creates serious public safety hazards, public health risks and environmental damage.”

Lee noted that …