Stockton, CA – Illegal dumping calls for service in San Joaquin County have dropped 40% since 2023-2024, according to a report the Illegal Dumping Task Force presented to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. The County recorded 612 calls in 2025-2026, a 21% decrease from the previous fiscal year.
“Illegal dumping damages our communities, threatens our environment and costs taxpayers money every time crews are sent to clean up,” said Chair and Third District Supervisor Sonny Dhaliwal. “These results show that our coordinated efforts are making a difference, and we’re committed to building on that progress.”
In 2022, the Board approved $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support the County’s Illegal Dumping Ordinance and establish a task force to coordinate a countywide response. The task force developed the “Three E’s” plan (Education, Enforcement and Eradication) bringing together the County Administrator’s Office, Public Works, the Sheriff’s Office, Community Development, and the District Attorney’s Office.
The plan’s ongoing efforts and results include:
Education
- Countywide marketing and advertising campaigns to raise awareness and discourage illegal dumping.
- Prevention messaging displayed on 21 billboards throughout the County.
- Partnerships with Delta College and K-12 students to develop original artwork for the billboard campaign.
Enforcement
- Deployment of 10 to 16 Flock Safety Flex cameras to monitor illegal dumping hot spots.
- Investigations and enforcement by the Sheriff’s Office Community Revitalization Unit and Community Car Unit.
- 35 citations issued for illegal dumping since 2023.
Eradication
- Decrease in tire dumping by 49%, appliances by 36%, waterway dumping 50%, and general dumping down 88% during FY 2025-2026.
- 71 community cleanup events held between May 2023 and June 2026, with 12 additional events planned for the remainder of 2026.
- More than 6,200 community members participated in cleanup efforts, resulting in the collection of nearly 2.57 million pounds of waste, 6,921 tires, 101,415 pounds of electronic waste and 59,266 pounds of universal waste. Crews also filled 563 dumpsters.
“This progress reflects what’s possible when County agencies and residents work together toward a shared goal,” Dhaliwal said. “Every effort to prevent illegal dumping helps protect our neighborhoods. We must keep that momentum going.”
Most Three E’s initiatives will continue through existing departmental budgets. The education component has relied primarily on ARPA funding, which is set to expire December 31, 2026.
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