Video Story
Watch VideoPueblo police report increase in illegal dumping, hoarding
Story By: David Ortiviz
Source: KOAA
The trash problems in some neighborhoods in Pueblo are described as out of control. From illegal dumping to hoarding, officers say a growing number of people are doing everything they can to get rid of their trash without paying for it.
Officer say the problems have increased since the a landfill on the city's south side temporarily shut down less than two months ago. The main option for people now is to take their trash to the midway landfill between Colorado Springs and Pueblo. However some don't want to pay $30 on a pick up load of trash, which is four times more than they used to pay at the south side landfill. As a result, some people are leaving their garbage anywhere, and everywhere.
"It's kind of right in our backyard and we're getting tired of it," said Mike McKlem, a concerned resident. Mcklem is describing an illegal dump site on McCormick St. in Pueblo. There are shoes, tires, broken televisions, old sofas and more there.
McKlem and his friend Jerry Lile are fed up. "We've got a bunch of low life that have no pride whatsoever in themselves or in their city," said McKlem. "This problem of the dumping has just gotten worse over the years,"said Lile.
Violators who are caught can be fined up to $300 and may even go to jail. But many are getting away with it.
"What we need is help from the public," said Deputy Chief John Ercul, with the Pueblo Police Department. "If people would call us if they see this activity going on, and if they would get license plate numbers and so on, just like with any other crime, then we can follow up on it immediately," he added.
Another problem happening now is hoarding. To avoid the cost of trash removal, some people have let their trash pile up in their backyards. "We're seeing an awful lot of that. a lot more than before the dump closed," said Ercul.
Police says not only is it illegal, it's a health hazard, that can affect everyone in the neighborhood.
"I want people to take care of their trash and take it to where it belongs instead of putting it in my backyard," said McKlem.
