Garbage truck drivers keep tabs on the hood ‘Waste Watch’ combines trash collection with more eyes on the community By John Schrag The Forest Grove News-Times, Nov 12, 2009 Washington County crime specialist Doreen Rivera (center, in black) meets with Waste Management drivers Larry Pectol, Gary Meyer and Sam Kemper, along with Sharon Hartung of the Forest Grove Police Department. Some folks may think that the Forest Grove Transfer Station is an odd setting for a prime rib dinner, but they haven’t heard about Waste Watch. Waste Management initiated the community safety program five years ago in Forest Grove and then helped spread it to 100 communities nationwide. Earlier this month the company took time to celebrate its success with a buffet dinner for employees, law enforcement officials and local dignitaries. Waste Watch involves training Waste Management truck drivers to look and listen for suspicious activities and emergency situations, and then report observations to public safety and law enforcement agencies. The local program has resulted in several success stories, including drivers reporting document theft from dumpsters at Beaverton businesses and vandalism of vehicles in a residential neighborhood. In May 2008, a pair of drivers in Forest Grove helped rescue a man from his burning home. Forest Grove Mayor Pete Truax and Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle were among those on hand Wednesday to honor public safety officials and 90 Waste Management employees based at the company’s Forest Grove location. “Waste Watch is a nationally acclaimed program that started right here in Forest Grove, five years ago,” said Truax. “It is a partnership that’s all about making communities safer.” Doreen Rivera, a crime specialist with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office also showed up to thank the drivers. Waste Management officials say Rivera was one of the first local law enforcement officials they approached in 2004 and her support was key to getting the program off the ground. Since its debut in Forest Grove, Waste Watch has grown to national acclaim for its support to law enforcement, emergency services and the Amber Alert system. It has received recognition from municipalities and organizations including the National Sheriff’s Association. Officials at Waste Management say that since their drivers are familiar with their routes and they often drive community streets early in the morning, they are in an ideal position to spot unusual situations, especially if they are trained on what to look for. “As members of the communities we serve, our employees are always looking for ways to help out,” said Zachary Lowe, vice president of security services for Waste Management. “Waste Watch helps by taking some of the burden off law enforcement personnel, who at times can be stretched pretty thin.” Print This Page | Close Window