HOUSTON – Last week, KPRC 2 revealed how a closed CVS store in Cypress has become a massive illegal dumping site.
This is part of a growing trend in the Houston area where former CVS and Walgreens locations are targeted for illegal dumping and used as shelter by homeless individuals trespassing on private property.
At a former Walgreens site at West Little York and the East Freeway, a homeless man was found living outside amid piles of garbage scattered across the parking lot.
“I’ve witnessed drugs use and sales, man there is prostitution inside the building now that they’ve broken into it as well,” said Daniel Zambrano, owner of a nearby business.
Zambrano said he has tried to get city officials to address the issues at the property but has seen little action.
“I try and call every department to come out and I mean they come out and a few hours after the call they just drive by, roll windows down and speak to someone and drive off and there is really nothing I can do,” he said.
During a visit Monday, a door was completely removed from the back of the building, with water running out of the opening and flowing directly into a storm drain.
In Cypress, the closed CVS off Huffmeister Road was the site of massive illegal dumping. When KPRC 2 first highlighted the location last week, there were countless bags of garbage, tires, and mattresses piled up.
Viewers reached out to the station’s 2 Helps You Help Desk hoping for assistance in resolving the quality-of-life issues in their community.
On Monday, contractor Andre Young was seen operating a mini bulldozer, moving mattresses as he worked to clean up the site.
“You know vacant lots, people take advantage of them in every neighborhood. It’s just how it is, there is no one to stop them,” Young said.
Harris County Public Health pressured the property owner to address the dumping after a 30-day notice was ignored. The department said legal action was the next step if the owner failed to act.
While the pile behind the building was cleared over the holiday weekend, a new problem arose in the front parking lot where more than half a dozen semi-trucks were parked.
“They see a big open lot that is not used, oh yeah they are going to use it,” Young said.
Law enforcement said only the property owner has the authority to address the issue of semi-trucks using the parking lot as a truck stop.
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