A trashy situation in Pasco County has leaders stepping up their efforts to crack down on illegal dumping.

  • Residents report trash bags, couches, chairs on side of roads
  • Officials weigh options, including reward system for tipsters
  • Fines could be raised by county leaders

Trash bags, a vacuum and couches are just some of the things you can find on the side of some roads.

Bob Shopey of New Port Richey said he's sick of seeing a mess on certain roads.

"Quit doing it. You have garbage pails all over," Shopey said. "Still, you see stuff on the side of the road. I don’t understand why people do it. I really don't."

County commissioners are now looking at several remedies to fix the problem they say is county wide.

"We want the county to look good," said Commissioner Jack Mariano. "We're proud of Pasco County. We want to be a premier county. We want to take every opportunity to make the county look good."

Mariano proposed a reward system for tipsters that report illegal dumping.

"It's hard to prosecute if you haven't seen it happen," he said. "So we think we can take fine money, and give it to a citizen if they can do a Facebook post or a video, and we convict the person, to then use that as a reward for the citizen."

Other options include cameras in trouble spots, organizing community cleanup events or raising fines.

"I hope they nail them good," Shopey said. "It's disgusting what they do."

County officials hope to come up with a plan in the next few months.