PHILADELPHIA (April 1, 2025)—Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner on Tuesday announced the launch of a new pilot initiative at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office during an event in the city’s Lawncrest section. The initiative will prosecute quality-of-life offenses with a particular focus on “short dumping” – the illegal discarding of trash and other debris such as tires, construction materials, and more on public and private properties.
The pilot, called the DAO Cleaner and Greener Enforcement Unit (CGEU), is initially launching in the 8th and 9th City Council districts with the overall goal of increasing public reporting of these nuisance offenses so that the CGEU can prosecute these nuisance offenses. With the continued support of Mayor Cherelle Parker and Philadelphia City Council, the DAO anticipates expanding the program citywide by July 1, 2025.
Historically, the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) has generally issued summary citations for these offenses. The CGEU, in cooperation with the PPD and other city agencies, aims to address the growing problem of illegal dumping by utilizing criminal intelligence and sophisticated forensic techniques, including cell location data and surveillance cameras, to increase enforcement of these cases. Perpetrators could face charges ranging from summary offenses up to felonies, depending on the seriousness of the crime. The DAO is requesting the public’s assistance in reporting these offenses and is encouraging people to call the CGEU’s hotline: 215-686-8988.
“This initiative, which is aligned with Mayor Cherelle Parker’s vision of a greener, cleaner city, is based on the fact that Philadelphians deserve to have clean, safe neighborhoods,” said DA Krasner. “The CGEU, in collaboration with the PPD and other city stakeholders, will develop cases against perpetrators who recklessly dump often dangerous materials that make our streets unsafe for children and adults. But we can’t do this without the public’s help. If you see illegal dumping occurring, please call our hotline immediately.”
“As a Philadelphia resident and block captain that has worked with my neighbors in the past to report and address illegal dumping, I understand that it can be demoralizing for concerned residents who have persistently called 911, 311, and other city services and who have organized block cleanups, only to have the problem return in a matter of days or weeks,” said Assistant District Attorney Teresa Benevides-Sexton, head of the newly-formed CGEU. “It is my hope that this initiative will enable me to prosecute and hold accountable those who have no regard for the health and well-being of our city.”
“Illegal dumping is not just a nuisance. It is an attack on our neighborhoods and community,” said Councilmember Anthony Phillips, District 9. “The Lawncrest community has been battling this problem for decades. But I believe that through collaboration between residents, law enforcement, and elected officials, this serious problem can be solved in large part through community engagement, prevention, and enforcement. I applaud the District Attorney’s team for this initiative.”
CONTACT:
Dustin Slaughter, [email protected]
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The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million residents of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for the prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually. Learn more about the DAO by visiting PhillyDA.org.