ALBUQUERQUE – Officials in New Mexico’s most populous county are reporting a rise in illegal dumping amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
KRQE-TV reports that Bernalillo County officials believe the uptick in illegal dumping is a result of people cleaning out their homes during the stay-at-home order and failing to make trips to authorized dump sites.
County officials say they have received double the number of calls for service connected to dumping from this time last year.
The county reports having to pick up tires, mattresses, home appliances, cars and other big items.
The county’s health protection manager, Lucas Tafoya, says crews have to wait a couple of days before they clean up the reported messes in case there are traces of the novel coronavirus on the material.
Illegal dumping comes with a fine of up to $1,000 or 90 days in jail.
