Flint Offers Cash Rewards for Tips on Illegal Dumping

Mayor Neeley aims to clean up the city's environment and safeguard public health.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:54pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a discarded tire against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the illegal dumping problem in Flint.The city of Flint hopes cash rewards will encourage residents to report illegal tire dumping, a major environmental and public health concern.Flint Today

The City of Flint is now offering cash rewards for tips that lead to the identification of people illegally dumping trash and tires across the city. Illegal dumping has been a major problem in Flint for many years, and the city is hoping that the reward incentive will generate tips and leads, as well as deter people from illegally dumping in the city out of fear of being arrested.

Why it matters

Illegal dumping can have serious environmental and public health consequences, such as contaminating water sources and providing breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes. By offering cash rewards, Flint hopes to encourage residents to report illegal dumping and help clean up the city.

The details

In 2021, Mayor Sheldon Neely announced rewards of $1,000 for tips leading to the arrest of anyone illegally dumping in the city, and $2,000 when the dumping involved tires. The exact reward amount in 2026 has not been revealed. Flint Police Chief Terrance Green has warned that the city will find and prosecute anyone caught illegally dumping in Flint.

  • In 2021, Mayor Sheldon Neely announced the illegal dumping reward program.
  • The exact reward amount for 2026 has not been revealed.

The players

Mayor Sheldon Neely

The mayor of Flint who announced the illegal dumping reward program in 2021.

Flint Police Chief Terrance Green

The police chief who has warned that the city will find and prosecute anyone caught illegally dumping in Flint.

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What they’re saying

“Flint is not your dumping ground, If you dump here, we will find you, and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”

— Flint Police Chief Terrance Green

What’s next

The city has not revealed the exact reward amount for 2026, but it is expected to be similar to the 2021 program of $1,000 for tips leading to an arrest and $2,000 for tips involving tires.

The takeaway

By offering cash rewards for tips on illegal dumping, Flint is taking a proactive approach to addressing a longstanding environmental and public health issue in the city. The hope is that the reward program will encourage residents to report illegal dumping and help clean up Flint's neighborhoods.