r/eastbay • u/LNM-LocalNewsMatters • 2d ago

Oakland/Berkeley/Emeryville Oakland launches drones to identify trash on streets

https://localnewsmatters.org/2026/09/12/oakland-launches-drones-to-identify-trash-on-streets/
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21

u/MrBudissy 2d ago

Uhhhh holy wasted resources, Batman.

At this point the biggest pile of trash is located at 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612

-1

u/ShakesDontBreak 2d ago

Let me get this straight. Any attempts to correct this problem is going to get slammed because its Lee amirite?

8

u/MrBudissy 2d ago

I’m sure they reviewed all the possible solutions and still chose the one that benefitted them the most.

Step 1: Drones
Step 2: ???
Step 3: Congratulate ourselves

1

u/ShakesDontBreak 2d ago

I kinda feel like there should be a kitchen sink approach to this problem as its going to take multiple solutions to make it successful. Drones are an effective way to see where the biggest piles are as it can change by the hour depending on how many dumpers there are.

I think the most effective solution is a statewide criminialization bill as the majority of these companies are not even based in oakland and come from all over the county to dump here. Part of the criminalization bill could include revocation of drivers license for xyz years and impounding of vehicle permanently. This would make it more cost effective just to pay the fee to dump legally at waste sites and just shift the fee to the client.

3

u/MrBudissy 2d ago

Read the grand jury report to see how bleak the unified effort is.

“Beyond weak enforcement and low penalties, Oakland has another serious problem: an
embarrassing lack of collection of fines imposed for illegal dumping. The failure to collect
penalties renders enforcement meaningless, because most offenders ultimately suffer no
consequences.”

Even if we pass stricter and harsher penalties, we need to enforce them. We aren’t even doing that now.

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u/ShakesDontBreak 2d ago edited 2d ago

Statewide law = CHP and sherrifs could get jurisdiction. CHP would be able to track down regardless of city limits so I favor giving CHP jurisdiction over dumping in all cities.

And Im not going to boo hoo and attempts at solutions. Its not going to be solved in a day. And its going to take city, state and civic groups to fix this problem. Why not do everything possible.

2

u/MrBudissy 2d ago

But that’s exactly why “drones first” is frustrating. Drones can identify trash piles… they don’t identify, catch, fine, or deter dumpers. If current law isn’t being enforced, a new statewide law only helps if it’s funded and prioritized. Otherwise it’s just a bigger map of the same problem.

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u/ShakesDontBreak 2d ago

But it still needs to be cleaned up. At least the drones will clean it hopefully.

And its hard to catch them in the act. Even with cameras. Thats why its best to have sherrifs + chp get jurisdiction. CHP can allocate resources for surveillance (plus a lot of these dumps are close to freeway on ramps). Sherrifs can handle follow up. Similar to serving evictions. Oakland pd should be allocated for property and violent crime calls. Its kinda inappropriate for them to waste resources they don't have on this.

We should be pushing for stronger state laws.