Residents across Harris County face mounting frustration with illegal dumping, prompting local law enforcement to strengthen enforcement measures against violators who abandon waste in neighborhoods.
A Tomball resident’s three-week battle with abandoned furniture and debris outside his home highlights the growing challenge of unauthorized dumping in residential areas. Montrose Cunningham discovered a massive pile of discarded items left by former tenants of a neighboring property.
“The pile was actually much bigger when they first moved, but people have been coming and taking stuff out,” Cunningham said, describing his unsuccessful attempts to get the situation resolved through various local agencies.
The case exemplifies the complexities residents face when reporting dumping violations. Cunningham contacted multiple authorities, including Tomball city officials, only to learn his property lies outside city limits. Despite reaching out to Commissioner Tom Ramsey’s office and his homeowners association, the waste remained.
Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen emphasizes the severity of illegal dumping violations. “Illegal dumping is somebody that actually takes waste or debris or oil or any kind of debris that’s supposed to be dumped in an appropriate licensed facility, but they opt to dump it on the side of the road or in a neighborhood,” Rosen explained.
The county has deployed 155 undercover cameras to catch offenders. Penalties range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on materials and quantity. “Used motor oil can be a felony, chemicals can be a felony. Otherwise, if it’s construction debris or household trash, furniture, things of that nature, it’s based upon the weight,” Rosen said.
How to Report Illegal Dumping
Harris County officials urge residents to report dumping incidents through two main channels:
- Harris County Hotline: 713-920-2831
- City of Houston: 311
Rosen warns residents about fraudulent waste removal services. “When that car comes around or leaves you a flyer that says, ‘I’ll haul your trash off for $25,’ they’re not doing it right,” he cautioned, explaining that proper disposal requires significant operational costs.
“We only have one earth, we only have one place in which to live. And so from our perspective, we’ve got to take care of it,” Rosen said, emphasizing the environmental importance of proper waste disposal.
For Cunningham, resolution came after media involvement prompted the property’s contractor to remove the debris. His case serves as an example of the persistence often required to address illegal dumping issues in Harris County communities.
