DeKalb County is aiming at eliminating illegal tire dumping, which officials say is environmentally hazardous and a blight on communities.

County CEO Lorraine Cochran Johnson on Friday said the county has removed a total of 37,000 illegally dumped tires.

Cochran Johnson said they've removed tractor-trailers full of tires from eight illegal dumping sites, and they're campaigning for the state legislature to make illegal tire dumping a felony.

Right now, it's a misdemeanor with a $1,000 to $5,000 fine, she said, which actually costs less than removing the tires.

The county also allows residents to take tires to landfills for recycling instead of leaving them in places that cause blight and environmental concerns.

The Sanitation division will collect up to four passenger tires from a res

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