Flint Residents Offered Rewards to Stop Illegal Tire Dumping

City officials vow to crack down on businesses caught illegally dumping waste in the community.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:40pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a pile of discarded tires, capturing the texture and material details in a stark, gritty manner to conceptually illustrate the problem of illegal dumping in the community.Flint's battle against illegal dumping intensifies as the city offers rewards for tips that lead to convictions.Flint Today

The City of Flint is offering rewards of up to $1,000 for tips that lead to the arrest and conviction of individuals or businesses caught illegally dumping tires and other waste. This comes after more than 200 tires were found dumped at an abandoned home on Flint's North Side, which officials say poses serious fire and environmental risks to the community.

Why it matters

Illegal dumping is an ongoing issue in Flint, creating eyesores and potential health hazards for residents. The city is taking a hardline stance, warning businesses that they will be shut down if caught dumping waste, and offering financial incentives for citizens to report illegal activity.

The details

Flint Police Chief Terence Green says this appears to be the work of a business, not an individual, and the city will seize any vehicles or equipment used in the dumping. Mayor Sheldon Neeley is reminding businesses that they will not be able to operate in Flint if caught illegally dumping. Fire Chief Theron Wiggins warns that a tire fire could reach temperatures up to 5,000 degrees, creating a dangerous situation that would be difficult to extinguish.

  • The illegal dumping incident was discovered on April 3, 2026.

The players

Terence Green

Flint Police Chief, who says this appears to be the work of a business, not an individual.

Sheldon Neeley

Mayor of Flint, who is warning businesses that they will be shut down if caught illegally dumping waste.

Theron Wiggins

Flint Fire Chief, who warns that a tire fire could reach extremely high temperatures and be difficult to extinguish, posing a serious threat to the community.

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What they’re saying

“Any vehicle used, any type of apparatus used to illegally dump, we will seize them on the spot. We will impound them and we will seek civil forfeiture against that vehicle”

— Terence Green, Flint Police Chief

“We will be working with our city ordinances to shut you down and also our state laws to keep you closed.”

— Sheldon Neeley, Mayor of Flint

“That's a fire that we can't just put out. We may have to have chemicals, you may have to have foam. It would take a good two, three hours and it would be disastrous for the environment.”

— Theron Wiggins, Flint Fire Chief

What’s next

The city will handle clearing the site on Copeman Boulevard and demolishing the abandoned house. The Flint Police Department is actively investigating the incident and searching for those responsible.

The takeaway

This case highlights Flint's ongoing battle against illegal dumping, which not only creates eyesores but also poses serious fire and environmental hazards for the community. By offering rewards and vowing to crack down on businesses, the city is taking a proactive approach to address this persistent problem.