Houston, Texas (KTRK) — Eyewitness News is delving into how law enforcement is cracking down on violators of illegal dumping after an ABC13 viewer at Kashmere Gardens caught a couple in action on video.
The latest incident took place in broad daylight, just steps from the Catholic Church of St. Francis of Assisi and a park.
“I didn’t want to be near them, so I just pulled out my phone and started recording them. It’s the best thing I know,” said the viewer, who chose to remain anonymous.
The viewer said she was proud that her frequented Hutcheson Park had received so much tender loving care lately. She couldn’t believe it when a man and a woman seemed to unload their small U-Haul at the edge of the trail and drive away.
“It’s very disheartening to see something like this. It just shows that they don’t respect our community. Not to mention the city has done a lot to restore this park. I love coming here. It’s very sad to see,” she continued.
Viewers are witnessing a growing problem, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office 1, which is working with the city of Houston to monitor 137 cameras across the county to catch illegal dumpers.
“[We see]how every day people complain over and over again about how bad things have gotten. We feel like it’s a challenge, and we feel like it’s a challenge to go after these people,” said Lt. Randy Scales of the Precinct 1 Constable’s Office.
If you dumped between 5 and 499 pounds, it’s a Class B misdemeanor punishable by 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. News from law enforcement? Do not do this.
“You might get away with it today, but we’ll get you eventually. We’ll put you in the system, hold you accountable, hold you accountable for what you did,” Lt. Scales said.
What can you do if you see someone dumped? If you can safely take video or photos of the act, along with a license plate or something that will help them identify the offender, do it, Precinct 1 said. Second, there is a hotline for reporting illegal dumping: 832-927-1567.
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