DeKalb County police targets illegal dumping with Christmas Day arrest

DeKalb County police targets illegal dumping

A Gwinnett County mother is spending her first Christmas without her son as Savannah police continue searching for the people responsible for his killing earlier this month.

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - Authorities in DeKalb County hope a Christmas Day arrest will put a dent in a series of illegal dumping incidents in the Scottdale area.

What we know:

According to the DeKalb County Police Department, officers arrested 59-year-old Marvio Ramey on Creighton Avenue, less than 2,000 feet from the dumping site.

DeKalb County police arrest a 59-year-old man on Christmas Day in connection with an illegal dumping investigation in the Scottdale area, authorities said.

Investigators allege Ramey used a rental truck to dump trash and debris on Proctor Avenue at least twice since Nov. 11.

What they're saying:

"Our neighborhoods are not dumping grounds. If you choose to illegally dump trash on our streets and outside our homes, we will find you and hold you accountable," police said in a statement.

DeKalb County police investigate an illegal dumping site in the Scottdale area after a Christmas Day arrest tied to repeated dumping incidents, according to authorities.

Tracie McGee-Benton says people dump some of everything around the corner from her home in Scottdale. "It’s been ongoing for a while," McGee-Benton said. "Mattresses, tires, couches, anything. You name it, it’s been dumped there."

Mcgee-Benton says the community has tried to deter violators from dropping off trash, but the junk kept piling up. "They came and put the barricades up, thinking that was going to stop people from dumping. But it doesn’t," McGee-Benton said.

Police sent pictures of old furniture, cardboard boxes and other debris. Taelor Booker is fed up. "It’s like one big trash can," Booker said. "It’s frustrating, especially when you have children, when you have children or want to go outside and take a walk. It’s frustrating to see that the neighborhood that you’ve grown up in and the neighborhood that has been built for a safe community has turned into such a big trash can."

Marvio Ramey (DeKalb County Sheriff's Office)

J.T. Jackson says the trash is an eyesore. "It’s not nice to look at, that’s for sure. I’m kind of tired of it myself. It’s looking ridiculous," Jackson said.

Neighbors are relieved that the police arrested someone.

"I’m glad that, finally, somebody did something about it. I think it may put fear in them," Jackson said.

"I’m happy that they got somebody. That’ll stop people from coming over here and dumping their garbage," said McGee-Benton.

Neighbors hope the arrest will send the message that their neighborhood is no dumping ground. "I hate that it happened on Christmas around the holidays, but at some point, we have to learn how to take accountability at some time," Booker said.

What we don't know:

Police have not said whether investigators believe Ramey is connected to other illegal dumping incidents reported elsewhere in DeKalb County.

Authorities have not released details on how officers identified the suspect or whether surveillance footage, tips, or license plate information played a role in the arrest.

DeKalb County police investigate an illegal dumping site in the Scottdale area after a Christmas Day arrest tied to repeated dumping incidents, according to authorities.

It is also unclear whether additional charges could be filed, whether the rental company is cooperating with investigators, or if more arrests are possible as the investigation continues.