Environmental Enforcement

The Haywood County Sheriff’s Office has a full time Environmental Enforcement Deputy assigned to address issues involving violations of Haywood County’s junkyard ordinance, misuse of the county waste processing facilities, and litter.  The quality of life in our community can be negatively affected by these issues and the Sheriff’s Office regularly receives complaints from citizens frustrated by these types of conditions. 

The environmental Enforcement Deputy also conducts inspections of wrecker companies desiring to be on the Sheriff’s Office wrecker rotation list to ensure safety and competency standards are maintained for the welfare of the public.  He also assists the Department of Transportation in determining locations in need of attention and clean-up by the Department of Corrections prisoner work crews.

Generally, when a complaint comes into the Sheriff’s Office about one of these issues, the call is forwarded to the Environmental Enforcement Deputy.  This Deputy then personally goes out to survey the conditions described in the complaint.  If observes that there is a violation of any state law or county ordinance he makes contact with the offending party or person responsible for the property in question.  Initially his goal is not enforcement; rather, he works with the party to attempt to bring the condition into compliance within a reasonable amount of time.  

If after repeated contacts and warnings the offending party is not willing to comply with the law or correct the problem then the Environmental Enforcement Deputy will bring charges against the defendant resulting in his or her arrest.  He then continues his efforts to encourage compliance through the court system.