I want to comment on the illegal dumping article (“Illegal dumping continues at city’s western edge,” Surprise Independent, Jan. 26, 2022). It’s not a Surprise problem. It’s a nationwide problem.

The reason is that those who dump illegally are simply lazy and-or they don’t want to spend their money on the landfill fee.

Many times it’s unlicensed landscapers and contractors who do most of the damage.

They dump in the middle of the night where the risk of being caught are very low. That results in property owners being financially responsible for someone else’s mess.

I would suggest that if the police sees someone driving around in the middle of the night with a truck/trailer full of trash should be checked by the police because they are not going the landfill.

If they can be stopped for a burned out tail light (probable cause), then probable cause exists for illegal dumping. Cameras in the dumping areas might help to identify the culprits and impound their vehicle.

Make it too expensive to dump illegally. Gotta get tough.