Environmental Crimes
The Santa Rosa Police Department has been investigating Environmental Crimes since 1991. Environmental crimes normally take the form of an illegal disposal of a hazardous or harmful material to our waterways, landfills or regional waste water system. The most dangerous types of materials are classified as hazardous wastes and are extremely dangerous to humans, wildlife and the environment in general.
However, substances released to our creeks and streams need not be classified as hazardous material to represent a significant threat to the very fragile ecosystem that exists there. Something as seemingly harmless as latex paint can have a very deleterious impact on our creeks and streams.
Examples of Environmental Crimes:
A significant amount of mud and silt is washed into a nearby stream after heavy rains hit the region because a builder responsible for grading a new home lot failed to comply with the required erosion control plan that would have mitigated the erosion caused by the storm water runoff. This condition is very hazardous, possibly deadly, to the aquatic habitat.
A resident replacing a radiator who intentionally drains the radiator fluid into a nearby storm drain. The fluid flows through the storm drains into Santa Rosa Creek contaminating the water and killing small fish fingerlings.
A local business disposing of caustic chemicals in their dumpster or by pouring acid-based materials into the floor drain.
Santa Rosa’s Environmental Crimes Unit officers have received specialized training in environmental crime investigations and hazardous materials recognition. They work closely with regulatory specialists from other City departments:
Fire Department - Hazardous Materials Team
Utilities Department – Environmental Compliance Section and the Storm Water Team
Community Development - Building Code Inspectors
Public Works Department - Field Services
to insure that environmental regulations are adhered to within our community.
Funding for the Environmental Crimes Investigator is provided annually by the storm water utility assessment and the Utilities Department.
If you see a possible Environmental Crime occurring:
CALL 911 If you have information regarding a person or business you feel may be committing and environmental crime, call the Environmental Crime Hotline at 543-4057 which allows you to talk confidentially and anonymously and, if you so desire, with an investigator.
The following link provides more information on Santa Rosa’s Spill Response Program.