PHOENIX (AZFamily)<\/b> \u2014 Torn-up couches, broken-down cars and bags upon bags of trash. <\/p>\n
For more than a decade, residents living near 39th and Wier avenues<\/a> in South Phoenix have been dealing with a relentless illegal dumping crisis.<\/p>\n Frustrated by years of asking local government for help, neighbors reached out to Arizona\u2019s Family. Within 48 hours of Arizona\u2019s Family contacting both the City of Phoenix and Maricopa County, bulk trash crews arrived to clear the waste.<\/p>\n But just one day later, to the surprise of both residents and reporters, the debris began to return.<\/p>\n Problem began in 2014, residents say<\/p>\n For over 10 years, South Phoenix resident Isaac Serna has been forced to play a hazardous version of \u201cI Spy\u201d on his daily drive out of the neighborhood.<\/p>\n \u201cTwo abandoned boats, there was an abandoned truck,\u201d Serna said. \u201cCouches, broken glass and a pallet.\u201d<\/p>\n His sister, Sesaria Serna, is also forced to watch for eyesores on her commute home.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was a boat over there and a boat over there on that corner,\u201d Sesaria Serna said. \u201cWhen we\u2019re coming home, like down Southern [Avenue], we\u2019ll come down the street just to see if there\u2019s trash.\u201d<\/p>\n Isaac Serna points to a specific turning point for the neighborhood\u2019s blight.<\/p>\n \u201cThe illegal dumping started in 2014 when they built a brand-new Cash school,\u201d Serna said, referring to Maurice C. Cash Elementary School.<\/p>\n According to Serna, the school\u2019s structure blocked the visual line of sight from major roads, providing cover for people looking to dump items illegally. For the neighborhood\u2019s youngest residents who walk to school, he warns the debris represents a direct safety hazard.<\/p>\n \u201cThe rats, the homeless people and the needles, so when kids come they could get stabbed,\u201d Serna said.<\/p>\n Neighbors have repeatedly roped in both city and county officials to clean up the area. While the efforts temporarily resolve the mess, Serna said the site quickly reverts to a dumping ground.<\/p>\n \u201cBut within that time, you see there\u2019s a piece of debris dumped again,\u201d Serna said, gesturing to new trash that arrived barely 24 hours after a major cleanup.<\/p>\n The City of Phoenix sent a statement to Arizona\u2019s Family acknowledging the chronic issue:<\/p>\n The City of Phoenix is aware of the illegal dumping that happens regularly near 35th Ave. and Wier Ave. Unfortunately, illegal dumping has been happening in that area frequently for several years. We recognize the annoyance and concern it causes people who live, work, and go to school in the area. The Public Works Department works closely with Maricopa County to address the problem and to clean up trash as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n Because it is a recurring problem, the department has been pouring more resources into the area. We proactively send inspectors to the area regularly, even if there have been no new complaints. Most recently, we were investigating and documenting on Friday, August 28 and on the morning of Wednesday, September 2. We also have a crew scheduled to remove debris from the area on Thursday, September 3.<\/p>\n In collaboration with multiple city departments, we are also working to identify preventative measures that can help keep this area clean and safe.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Despite the city\u2019s increased inspections, neighbors are calling for permanent, preventative solutions.<\/p>\n \u201cPut up cameras,\u201d Serna suggested. \u201cIf you look down the street, there are no light poles, so lights; maybe put up sidewalks.\u201d<\/p>\n The City of Phoenix reminds the public that illegal dumping is a crime. Those caught face a fine of up to $2,500.<\/p>\n See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n