Frustrated over dumping

For the last year our association has...

Hand delivered letters to each house regarding the dumping of bulk items alongside our trash bins.

Sent out letters to homeowners outlining what this is costing the HOA (close to $7000 a year)

We've put out posters - circle with line through it with bulk items pictured. A no dumping poster

We've put up notices on the trash bins.

And still someone in the community thinks they are privileged and still put out their bulk trash.
Last week our maintenance guy hauled away a truck load of mattresses, box springs, and furniture.
Yesterday someone put a refrigerator out beside a trash bin in the grass, left the doors attached.

The Board of Directors are pulling their hair out trying to come up with a solution to the ongoing problem. We try to find out who the violators are and then fine them for hauling.

We've thought of placing security cameras up, but some of us think that won't matter.

Any suggestions?

Paul,

Robert has posted some good answers to your question but how about one more letter to the community: As homeowners, you have a responsibility to report anyone you see dumping these large items that are not authorized. If they are not found out, and fined, the community will have to bear the expenses for them in an assessment at the end of the year. If this additional dumping is not included as a budgeted item, the HOA can do this. It may wake up some homeowner.

PauG: Based on your post there is no bulk trash allowed to be put out in your community. Has the community looked into other arrangements for the unit owners to be able to have it picked up? For example, find out who the trash hauler is in your local municipality--contact them and ask what they would charge the association to pick up bulk trash perhaps 2x a year.

It sounds like you have a trash company who picks up normal trash, but for the bulk trash they are billing you $7,000 per year. This sounds exhorbitant IMO, and it may be time to actually look for a new trash hauler and one who will also allow for bulk items at no extra cost.

Our beautification committee has an ongoing problem with residents dumping appliances, furniture, etc. behind their garages with "FREE" tagged on the item. This is strictly forbidden, and it's always the same people. I contacted our city's Code Enforcement Department. Although in my city, the code enforcement officer must physically see the resident dumping the items, they were absolutely willing to contact the resident via letter. A letter from the city might go a lot further than the usual association letter. Cameras are a great idea and, with a good system, you have solid evidence.
Good luck. Dumping is unsightly and damaging to property values.
Sorry to come in late on the conversation. I'm new.