Anyone thinking about dumping in Brookhaven Town, be aware: cameras are everywhere, and you will be caught.
Timothy Hughes, 35, of Shirley, found this out the hard way when he was busted for allegedly trying to get rid of a dilapidated boat in the Manorville Pine Barrens.
“Cameras are going up everywhere, and a variety of types,” said Supervisor Dan Panico. “Three dozen more are about to be installed, and we are working with the Suffolk County Police Department, Sheriff's Office, and District Attorney Ray Tierney on the issue.”
The town has invested tens of thousands of dollars for cameras that not only have night vision but can also read license plates, Panico said, adding that offenders face as much as $10,000 in fines.
An apparently non-seaworthy 24-foot boat traced to Hughes was found by Suffolk deputy sheriffs in an environmentally sensitive area of the county’s watershed. "This man could have found an easy way to dispose of the boat, but he couldn’t be bothered,” said Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr. Town residents can get rid of up to 500 pounds of material and trash at no cost on Saturdays at the Brookhaven landfill in Yaphank.
| An abandoned boat allegedly dumped by Timothy Hughes of Shirley is removed from the Pine Barrens. Suffolk Sheriff’s Office |
County Executive Ed Romaine and Legislator Jim Mazzarella are working on legislation to stiffen penalties for illegal dumpers, and Tierney said that in some instances, he will look to seize the vehicles used in dumping incidents. Suffolk officials are serious about keeping boats, garbage, and other sources of pollution out of the Pine Barrens and have stepped up surveillance and enforcement activities in many sensitive areas. A Holbrook couple, Fabio and Judith Monasterolo, were arrested in May after dumping debris in a Mastic Beach wetlands.
If you have a tip, are unsure of a particular operator offering to remove your junk, or see illegal dumping, call 631-451-TOWN, Brookhaven Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig pointed out.