City Of West Palm Beach: WPBPD Investigation Leads To Illegal Dumping Arrest

West Palm Beach FL

05 November, 2021

10:15 AM

Description

Press release from the City of West Palm Beach: 11/05/2021 8:57 AM   WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. (November 2, 2021) – The West Palm Beach Police Department (WPBPD) announced the felony arrest of 29-year old Bret Harrenga, who is suspected of illegally dumping more than 500 pounds of trash at 511 36th Street in September. Harrenga was charged with one count of Illegal Dumping over 500 pounds, per Florida State Statute 403.413(6c4). Since the launch of Mayor Keith A. James' signature Neighborhoods First Initiative, which prioritizes improved customer service for residents, the city has stepped up its efforts to address illegal dumping through its Operation Clean Streets initiative.  Since the initiative's inception, at least nine people have been arrested for illegal dumping, and more than 159,000 lbs. of illegally dumped material has been removed from our neighborhoods. In Fiscal Year 2021, the city removed 95,600 pounds of illegally dumped material. Tipsters who provide information that leads to an arrest could be eligible for a reward of up to $500. "We are working to improve overall quality of life, promote public safety in our neighborhoods and attract economic investment to our city," said West Palm Beach Mayor Keith A. James. "In support of those efforts, the city aims to curb illegal dumping in our neighborhoods through education, enforcement, and prevention through Operation Clean Streets, which is ongoing." Supporting the initiative is a taskforce comprised of residents, employees of several city departments, WPBPD, Downtown Development Authority, and Community Redevelopment Agency. The team's focus is to identify areas of improvement and implement specific steps to be taken to reduce abandoned vehicles, illegal dumping, and litter. ONLINE: Visit the Clean Streets' Ticketing Portal, which is operated by the Department of Public Works, and submit an illegal dumping ticket. BY PHONE: Call the City's Department of Public Works, day or night, at (561) 822-2075 or (561) 822- 2222.  BY PHONE: Call 9-1-1. Tipsters who provide police a photo/video of the vehicle, its tag, and information about the person dumping may be eligible for up to a $500 reward. The tipster must provide their name and phone number to claim the reward. (This information will be kept confidential.) Do not confront the possible perpetrators Identify the dumping location, including the cross street Make not of the type of materials that were dumped Try to identify the persons or company involved with the dumping This press release was produced by the City of West Palm Beach. The views expressed here are the author's own.