Dumping trash along roads can put you behind bars

FOUNTAIN COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - "A lot of beds, furniture, trash bags, even people dumping out deer when they're done hunting, so a lot of things," Fountain County Highway Department Employee John Scheurich said about things he finds on the side of roadways.

Scheurich said the highway department gets called out at least a couple times a week to pick up items that have been dumped. On Thursday's list is a mattress and box springs and a little way down the road a TV.

"Out-of-the-way places," Fountain and Warren County Health Department Environmentalist Greg Robison said about where trash is found. "That's where it's common. Where we're standing here is way out on the edge of the county and there's not too many homes, so in the evening this would be an ideal place for somebody to try to get rid of something they don't want."

Robison said dumping trash isn't just an eyesore.

"They contaminate the waterways because the water of course becomes drinking water at some point in time and that is a hazard that everybody deals with," Robison said.

Robison said the highway or health department will clean up dumped items or help you learn about some places to take unwanted items, but you have to make the call first.

"If we don't know about it we can't do anything about it, so we welcome anybody to contact us and let's try to get it cleaned up and keep the environment clean," Robison said.

"Anything that's alongside in the ditch line we're responsible for anything within like 10 feet of the road so we'll come pick it up and dispose of it," Scheurich said.

You can contact your local highway or health department if you want to report dumped items.

The Fountain County Prosecutor said people who are caught dumping can be charged with a felony, a $10,000 fine, and up to three years in prison.