HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Residents of Sunnyside are frustrated with an illegal dumping site on the 9500 block of Jutland Road, where trash, busted concrete, furniture, paint cans, and even an old boat have been discarded.
Travis McGee, a local resident, told that the issue has persisted for decades without improvement. Anthony Simmons, another Sunnyside resident, mentioned that the problem has worsened over the past year, with ditches constantly filled with trash.
The City of Houston’s Solid Waste Department claimed they cleaned up the street two weeks ago, only for it to be dumped on again the next day. However, McGee disputed this, providing a photo dated May 7 that shows the same discarded boat still present.
This area falls within the city’s District D, represented by Councilwoman Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz. McGee ran unsuccessfully against her in 2023. Evans-Shabazz acknowledged the recurring issue and stated, “That’s a terrible hotspot, and we will continue to address it.”
A City of Houston depository located on the 10000 block of Jutland allows residents to legally dispose of heavy trash. However, city leaders and residents believe people are often turned away from this site and resort to illegal dumping instead.
Evans-Shabazz promised to address the issue following the report but admitted it will likely continue until alternative measures are implemented. She suggested installing signs to indicate that dumping is illegal and relaxing some of the guidelines for legally disposing of trash at the depository.
