BATON ROUGE — City workers cleaned up illegal dumping under the interstate near McKinley Middle School, just days after WBRZ reported on the problem and residents voiced their frustrations.

The cleanup took place near McCaleb Street, where large piles of debris had been accumulating under the interstate. Mayor President Sid Edwards says his office now plans to step up enforcement against people who illegally dump there.

"We're going to start catching people. We're going to, and we're going to hit their pocketbooks. They better pay their car note because I'm going to tell you now, FAFO," Edwards said.

Edwards met with nearby residents about the problem. Those same residents spoke with WBRZ last week about their frustrations with the trash cluttering their neighborhood.

The city may also consider adding cameras and license plate readers in areas where dumping is common.

"We're going to have more cameras and license plate readers under the interstates where we could see who's doing these nefarious activities," Edwards said.

Resident Ada Jones supports that idea.

"If they really knew that somebody was watching and they could just not do this and trash our city with impunity, I think it would stop," Jones said.

Edwards credited WBRZ's Friday report for bringing attention to the problem. He also wants residents to keep reporting illegal dumping and, if possible, gather information that could help identify who is responsible.

"Get a license plate. I know you're not the police, but get some information, get the make and model of the car and you report it to us and we could go get people," Edwards said. "They're going to pay."

The mayor's office encourages anyone who sees debris littered anywhere to reach out to 311.