There’s an old adage that says ‘the camera doesn’t lie.’
If it’s true, that’s bad news for one Russellville man who was arrested last week on criminal littering charges after a hidden camera recorded him allegedly dumping garbage and construction debris on the side of Harrison Avenue.
Cirilo Contreras Nunes, 49, of Monroe Street in Russellville, was the first person arrested as part of a new hidden camera operation initiated by the Russellville Police Department to curtail illegal dumping that has become rampant across the city.
RPD Chief Chris Hargett said cameras were installed at several locations across the city after District Two Councilman Darren Woodruff made Compliance Officer Chad Sheffield aware of citizen concerns he received about illegal dumping.
As Woodruff campaigned last week in District Two, he noticed a couple new problem areas where debris piles had formed on the side of the road.
“This has been a problem for the last several years, so I contacted Chief Hargett and requested we purchase some new cameras to monitor these locations,” Woodruff said. “When Officer Sheffield installed the cameras, it was just a day later they caught someone and made their first arrest for illegal dumping.”
Hargett said the defendant arrested last week was a contractor whose flatbed trailer contained debris from a job. As with all defendants charged with a criminal offense, Nunes is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Hargett said surveillance cameras have been installed in several undisclosed locations across the city as part of the focused effort on illegal dumping.
“We will continue to monitor known dumping areas and enforce city and state laws to help keep Russellville clean and safe,” Hargett said.
Woodruff said a few residents have asked if they will now get into legal trouble for taking their garbage to the road on their own property, something which is permissible under the municipal code.
“That’s not what this is about. It’s not about putting debris at the edge of your own yard. What this is focused on is people putting debris and garbage in front of other people’s property or on the side of the road,” Hargett said.
Criminal littering is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable upon a first conviction by a fine up to $500 and up to 100 hours of community service, which can include litter pickup.
In Alabama, criminal littering is defined as knowingly depositing litter on public or private property or in public or private waters without permission.
