Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman announced Tuesday his department has formed a two-person Environmental Response Unit to investigate illegal dumping. Herman said the two full-time investigators have received training in technology used to combat illegal dumping and will respond to reports of dumping, oversee the removal of pollutants and file criminal charges against businesses or individuals. Illegal dumping includes household debris and industrial waste. Misdemeanor charges have already been filed in several cases, Herman said. “Environmental crime is a serious and growing problem in north Harris County,” Herman said in a news release. “Many of the locations where items are being dumped are in or outside our neighborhoods where our kids play.” The ERU team, formed in December, has investigated about 80 illegal dumping sites, Herman said. Residents are encouraged to contact the Environmental Response Unit at the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office at 832-927-6843 with tips or to anonymously submit complaints on the department’s website here: www.constablepct4.com/environmental-crimes-unit.html.