Residents in a Phoenix neighborhood are sick of being dumped on. They want the people trashing their Arcadia community alleys to be picked up by police.
Multiple neighbors who have lived in the area for 20 years said the issue of illegal dumping has never been this bad.
It was built for trash cans, but the alley behind Craigmont Avenue has much more than just garbage bins.
"We have found drywall. We have found tile...furniture and tree trimmings" said Rob Potter.
Other items like bricks, basketballs, and footballs also clog the area behind Potter's home.
"The garbageman had to get out [of his truck] and move [junk]," said Potter.
A few miles away near 48th Street and Indian School, homeowners have seen the same issues.
"They just drive up and down the alley and dump it where ever they want to," said Lyle Craig, who has lived in the area for more than 20 years.
Like his neighbors, Craig is tried of the out-of-town trash.
"I think it sucks," he said.
Two different pick-up trucks were caught on a home surveillance camera, but the city needs a strong description, like make, model, and license plate to catch and fine the criminals up to $15,000 and slap them with a misdemeanor.
"[The city] says they have no problem going after them, but normally we are just reporting a car like it’s a white truck with a trailer," said Potter.
The clean-up falls on homeowners, like Rob Potter and his son.
"Both of us are disabled veterans. I’ve broken both legs," Potter said. "Someone could go dump a couch back there, and I have to get it moved...It doesn't seem fair."
Right now the culprits are not being caught.
"It’s more convenient to pile it up back here than to run to the dump. They don’t charge anything to dump it here," said Craig.
Neighbors are hoping more eyes can catch the disrespectful dumpers, and then the city can make them pay with fines.
To learn more about illegal dumping visit the Maricopa County Enforcement Program website, click here.
The city says if you spot illegal dumping:
"Report it! Identify the exact location of the dumpsite. Identify the closest major cross streets. Try to identify the person or Company that did the illegal dumping. Describe what is in the dumpsite. Do not enter or dig through the site."
Illegal dumping can be punished with fines as high as $15,000 or more for a single illegal dumping violation.
