4c - Scavenging Analy
Protecting our community's health and the environment by providing solid waste and sewer collection services.
www.cmsdca.gov
Costa Mesa Sanitary District
….an Independent Special District
Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
Via: Scott Carroll, General Manager
From: Javier Ochiqui, Management Analyst
Date: November 12, 2013
Subject: Scavenging Analysis
Summary
The Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD) implemented a locking 60-gallon trash cart
to discourage scavenging, but only one percent of CMSD residents take advantage of
this device. Staff is providing the Board of Directors with an analysis on recent
scavenging activities in Costa Mesa.
Staff Recommendation
That the Board of Directors receive and file the report.
Analysis
Trash scavengers have become an eyesore and makes Costa Mesa residents feel
uncomfortable. The slow economic recovery may be exacerbating scavenging in Costa
Mesa. Unfortunately, scavenging is something that may never go away completely.
For some, especially the homeless, this is their main source of income.
Over the past quarter (July, August, September 2013), there has been a total of 55
scavenging incidents that have been reported to the Costa Mesa Police Department
(CMPD). Out of the 55 scavenging incidents, 38 incidents (approximately 70 percent)
have occurred at residential homes and 17 incidents (30 percent) have occurred at
larger apartment complexes or commercial properties (Attachment 1). Below is a
year- to-year graph comparison from July to September:
Board of Directors
November 12, 2013
Page 2 of 4
0
5
10
15
20
July August September
13
17
14
10 10 10
17
20
18
Scavenging Year to Year Comparison
2011 2012 2013
As you can see, there was an increase in scavenging activity in the third quarter (July,
August and September). The following are some potential reasons why scavenging
has increased in Costa Mesa from July to September 2013:
1. California Refund Value - Since March 1, 2012, prices for the most popular
recycling materials have increased in value. For example, the price of
aluminum cans increased from $1.57 to $1.59 per pound and #1 PET Plastic
has increased from $1.00 to $1.07 per pound. Also, #2 High Density
Polyethylene (HDPE) increased from $0.57 to $0.60 per pound.
2. Increased Homelessness - Law enforcement agencies from other
jurisdictions (e.g., OC Probation and CA Department of Parole) utilize Costa
Mesa motels and halfway homes for clients (currently, there are
approximately 104 residential facilities). Without a firm solution, this number
will continue to grow. According to the City’s Homeless Task Force, many
motel/halfway house residents that leave the housing program without a
support system will slip into homelessness.
3. Assembly Bill 109 (AB 109) – This bill allows non-violent, non-serious, and
non-sex offenders to serve their sentences in county jails instead of state
prisons. Under AB 109, many prisoners will be released early under the
“early release” program. So far, according to CMPD, over 60 participants
have been brought back to Costa Mesa and that number is growing at a rate
of 6-10 per month.
Scavenging Demographics
Board of Directors
November 12, 2013
Page 3 of 4
Based on input from CMSD’s Code Enforcement Officer, approximately 80 percent of
the scavengers live in Costa Mesa and 20 percent come from other cities. Also,
approximately 40 percent of the scavengers are homeless and 60 percent are
employed or live with someone who is employed. In addition, approximately 55
percent of scavengers are male and 45 percent are female. Below is a graph that
illustrates the scavenging demographics for Costa Mesa.
Solutions
CMSD needs to continue to issue citations/fines and reinforce the message that
scavenging is not allowed and will not be tolerated. The District will also continue to
cite people in vehicles that are scavenging as a business and will continue to give
warnings to homeless individuals. However, most scavengers will not be able to pay
the fine and will most likely request a hearing to have their fines reduced and/or
waived. CMSD can also encourage CMSD residents to use the 60-gallon locking carts
to curb scavenging activity.
The City of Newport Beach took a more aggressive approach by citing anyone who
was caught scavenging and decreased scavenging activities by more than 50 percent.
The Newport Beach Police Department was deeply involved and dedicated a Police
Sergeant to oversee the enforcement. Residents in Newport Beach are encouraged to
call the non-emergency phone number to report scavenging activity. However, CMSD
staff believes that some of the Newport Beach scavengers came to CMSD’s service
area thus increasing our scavenging activities.
Strategic Plan Element & Goal
This item complies the with objective and strategy of Strategic Element 2.0, Solid
Waste, which states:
Board of Directors
November 12, 2013
Page 4 of 4
“Objective: Our objective is to manage the collection and recycling of residential trash
in the most economical and environmentally friendly way.”
“Strategy: We will do this by looking for ways to improve efficiencies, achieve high
customer satisfaction, and considering prudent new recycling methods.”
Legal Review
Not applicable at this time.
Environmental Review
Adding locking devices to trash containers or issuing citations to individuals to prevent
scavenging is not a disturbance of the environment directly or indirectly similar to
grading or construction and is not a project under CEQA or the District’s CEQA
Guidelines.
Financial Review
Even though CMSD does not benefit financially from recyclable materials that end up
in our waste stream, we should continue to send the message that scavenging is not
allowed, and will not be tolerated. This way, the public and residents will know that
CMSD is doing everything it can to discourage scavenging.
Public Notice Process
Copies of this report are on file and will be included with the complete agenda packet
for the November 12, 2013 Board of Directors Study Session at District Headquarters
and posted on the District’s website.
Attachments
1. CMPD Scavenging Maps
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(!(!(
!(
!(!(
!(!(
!(
!(
!(
FAIRVIEW
COSTA MESA
MESA VERDE
FAIRVIEW DEV CTR
ORANGE CO FAIRGROUNDS
ORANGE COAST COLLEGE
SOUTH COAST PLAZA
TALBERT REGIONAL
SANTA ANA COUNTRY CLUB
CANYON
TALBERT NATURE PRESERVE
TEWINKLE MEMORIAL
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COLLEGE
LIONS
VISTA
TANAGER
GISLER
WAKEHAM
ESTANCIA
HARBOR LAWN-MT OLIVE
MOON
SHIFFER
HELLER HARPER
TUSTINMARINA VIEW
WIMBLEDON
PINKLEY
MESA VERDE
WILSON STREET
PAULARINO
CIVIC CENTER
DEL MESA
LINDBERGH SCHOOL
SMALLWOOD
1514
17
12
2219
08
01
18
20
10
16
27
13
24
09
06
07
26
21
25
28
23
02
04
88
11
05
31
35
03
33
3029
3237 90
34
38
39
36
Scavenging CFS July 2013
Scavenging July 2013
Address and Call Disposition
!(550 W PAULARINO AV GOA
!( 2180 HARBOR BLVD GOA
!(1020 VALENCIA ST UTL
!(151 21ST ST GOA
!(1741 TUSTIN AV UNF
!(187 ALBERT PL PAWC
!(191 BROADWAY GOA
!(191 BROADWAY PAWC
!(191 BROADWAY UTL
!(2312 SANTA ANA AV RTFAR
!(234 E 15TH ST GOA
!(234 E 15TH ST PAWC
!(2345 CORNELL DR UTL
!(241 AMHERST RD GOA
!(300 16TH PL GOA
!(E 18TH ST & SANTA ANA AV GOA
!(FAIRVIEW RD & EL CAMINO DR GOA
Reporting Districts
parks & schools N
Costa Mesa Police Department
Larger Apartment Complexes Smaller Multi Unit Complexes Business/School/Public Facility Single Family Residence & Intersections
Attachment 1
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(!(!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
FAIRVIEW
COSTA MESA
MESA VERDE
FAIRVIEW DEV CTR
ORANGE CO FAIRGROUNDS
ORANGE COAST COLLEGE
SOUTH COAST PLAZA
TALBERT REGIONAL
SANTA ANA COUNTRY CLUB
CANYON
TALBERT NATURE PRESERVE
TEWINKLE MEMORIAL
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COLLEGE
LIONS
VISTA
TANAGER
GISLER
WAKEHAM
ESTANCIA
HARBOR LAWN-MT OLIVE
MOON
SHIFFER
HELLER HARPER
TUSTINMARINA VIEW
WIMBLEDON
PINKLEY
MESA VERDE
WILSON STREET
PAULARINO
CIVIC CENTER
DEL MESA
LINDBERGH SCHOOL
SMALLWOOD
1514
17
12
2219
08
01
18
20
10
16
27
13
24
09
06
07
26
21
25
28
23
02
04
88
11
05
31
35
03
33
3029
3237 90
34
38
39
36
Scavenging CFS August 2013
Scavenging August 2013
Address and Call Disposition
!(1555 E MESA VERDE DR UTL
!(180 21ST ST PAWC
!(2217 HARBOR BLVD PAWC
!(260 VICTORIA ST GOA
!(678 W 19TH ST CAN
!(881 W BAKER ST PAWC
!(136 CECIL PL GOA
!(2525 ORANGE AV PAWC
!(241 E 17TH ST PAWC
!(1352 GARLINGFORD ST PAWC
!(230 PALMER ST GOA
!(2314 COLLEGE DR PAWC
!(233 PALMER ST GOA
!(234 E 15TH ST UTL
!(283 AVOCADO ST PAWC
!(300 16TH PL GOA
!(3148 MANISTEE DR GOA
!(900 DARRELL ST GOA
!(ESTHER ST & WESTMINSTER AV GOA
!(ORANGE AV & MESA DR GOA
Reporting Districts
parks & schools N
Costa Mesa Police Department
Larger Apartment Complexes Smaller Multi Unit Complexes Business/School/Public Facility Single Family Residence & Intersections
Attachment 1
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(!(!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
FAIRVIEW
COSTA MESA
MESA VERDE
FAIRVIEW DEV CTR
ORANGE CO FAIRGROUNDS
ORANGE COAST COLLEGE
SOUTH COAST PLAZA
TALBERT REGIONAL
SANTA ANA COUNTRY CLUB
CANYON
TALBERT NATURE PRESERVE
TEWINKLE MEMORIAL
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COLLEGE
LIONS
VISTA
TANAGER
GISLER
WAKEHAM
ESTANCIA
HARBOR LAWN-MT OLIVE
MOON
SHIFFER
HELLER HARPER
TUSTINMARINA VIEW
WIMBLEDON
PINKLEY
MESA VERDE
WILSON STREET
PAULARINO
CIVIC CENTER
DEL MESA
LINDBERGH SCHOOL
SMALLWOOD
1514
17
12
2219
08
01
18
20
10
16
27
13
24
09
06
07
26
21
25
28
23
02
04
88
11
05
31
35
03
33
3029
3237 90
34
38
39
36
Scavenging CFS September 2013
Scavenging September 2013
Address and Call Dispostion
!(1555 E MESA VERDE DR, UTL, a
!(2217 HARBOR BLVD, PAWC, a
!(260 VICTORIA ST, GOA, a
!(678 W 19TH ST, CAN, a
!(2525 ORANGE AV, PAWC, b
!(283 AVOCADO ST, PAWC, b
!(241 E 17TH ST, PAWC, c
!(881 W BAKER ST, PAWC, c
!(180 21ST ST, PAWC, d
!(230 PALMER ST, GOA, d
!(2314 COLLEGE DR, PAWC, d
!(233 PALMER ST, GOA, d
!(234 E 15TH ST, UTL, d
!(300 16TH PL, GOA, d
!(3148 MANISTEE DR, GOA, d
!(900 DARRELL ST, GOA, d
!(ESTHER ST & WESTMINSTER AV, GOA, d
!(ORANGE AV & MESA DR, GOA, d
Reporting Districts
parks & schools N
Costa Mesa Police Department
Larger Apartment Complexes Smaller Multi Unit Complexes Business/School/Public Facility Single Family Residence & Intersections
Attachment 1