The Spearfish Police Department reminds everyone private trash receptacles and dumpsters, whether commercial or residential, are not for public use. When people use these receptacles without permission, this illegal dumping constitutes theft.
“We have been receiving calls recently from people whose private dumpsters are being filled with refuse by people who do not have permission to use the receptacles,” Public Safety Director Pat Rotert said. “If you see a container at a construction site, or a business, or a residential property, it is not for public use. The owners are paying for the service of having the container onsite and emptied.”
Illegal dumping falls under South Dakota Codified Law 22-30A-9: Diverting services of another, which states, “Any person who, having control over the disposition of services of others, to which that person is not entitled, diverts such services to his or her own benefit or to the benefit of another not entitled thereto, is guilty of theft.”
Public Safety Director Rotert encouraged residents or businesses in need of garbage collection to contact Utility Services at (605) 642-1325, for those within City Limits, or for those outside of City Limits, to contact a private company offering such services. Those needing to dispose of larger amounts of cardboard may do so for free at the Spearfish Restricted Use Site (RUS), located north of Spearfish off of Highway 85 on Camp Comfort Road, which is 1.5 miles north of Interstate 90’s Exit 10.
The RUS hours of operation are:
· Summer hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, April 15 to October 14
· Winter hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday October 15 to April 14
For more information about garbage collection for residential and commercial customers, CLICK HERE.