“Waste is not welcome here.”

That’s what Harrisburg City Councilman Ralph Rodriguez said Wednesday, as he announced details for the second year of a “Hot Spot Saturdays” initiative to reduce illegal dumping in neighborhoods.

“Blight and illegal dumping have been a massive issue here in the city for as long as I could remember, " he said during the news conference at city hall. “Not only is it an eye sore but it gives the message that this is a wasteland and we’re open to all dumping trash and waste, but that’s not the case.” 

Once the sites are cleared, Rodriguez and Dave West, Director, Harrisburg Public Works, said the city will start enforcement and prevention strategies to keep the areas clean.

“We’re definitely on attack when it comes to illegal dumping and blight,” said West. “We will be out there in force also in collaboration with Dauphin County. We have enforcement teams for day shift, evening and night shift out there trying to apprehend the culprits that are doing this to our city.”

During the news conference, West said Pete Baltimore was hired in October to serve as the new environmental enforcement officer, leading the efforts to catch and prosecute those dumping garbage illegally.

West emphasized the importance of Harrisburg residents participating in community initiatives like Hot Spot Saturdays to address the city-wide problem.

“It starts with you, the residents, to help us keep our city clean, he said. “As well as it is our city it’s your city first. And we would like to catch the culprits who do not care about our city.”

Rodriguez started the community initiative last year as a way for residents to come together and help clear hot spots. Local volunteers, in collaboration with the city, and with Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority, removed more than 10-tons of waste in 2022, he said.