Press Releases

Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01) hosted a press conference in Camden City, celebrating the $500,000 in community project funding he secured for a citywide camera network to help curb illegal dumping and promote environmental justice.

“Illegal dumping is wrong and dangerous for our communities. It’s inexcusable that unknown companies are using Camden City as their trashcan. Many of these groups come from out of town, and likely out of state, and dump debris illegally in our neighborhoods. It’s unsafe, it’s unhealthy, and it’s totally unacceptable. The funding I secured in the federal appropriations bill will help establish a network of cameras to catch perpetrators in the act so we can hold these companies accountable,” said Congressman Donald Norcross.

“I am incredibly grateful to Congressman Donald Norcross for always fighting for critical funding which will help to improve the quality of life in Camden. Illegal dumping is an ongoing battle in our city. The City’s Department of Public Works, our residents, our businesses, and our stakeholders must deal with the damaging effects daily. In many cases, this dumping is coming from individuals who live outside of Camden. They are illegally dumping trash, construction materials, hazardous waste, or other harmful items which not only cause blight in neighborhoods but also compromise the health and safety of the entire community. The cameras will give Camden another tool in the apprehension and prosecution of violators,” said Camden City Mayor Vic Carstarphen.

Camden City spends $4 million a year cleaning up illegal dumpsites. The $500,000 in federal funding, secured by Congressman Norcross as part of the Funding for the People Act (H.R. 2471), will help address the root of the issue by installing a citywide camera network to pinpoint the areas of the city where illegal dumping is a chronic issue.

By catching those responsible for illegal dumping in the act, the cameras will be used to hold perpetrators responsible and send a powerful warning to other would-be illegal dumpers not to treat Camden City like a landfill. By catching those responsible for and deterring illegal dumping in real-time, the camera network will help keep Camden City neighborhoods cleaner and safer, meaning a higher quality of life for residents.