Homeowner asks city for help, gets warning instead

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A 78-year-old woman with an overgrown easement behind her property called the City of Houston for help and instead got a warning.

Vicenta Reyes Martinez says the area behind her southeast Houston home is full of snakes, rats and mosquitoes due to the bushes and grass that have taken over the easement. Several utility poles can also be found on the ground.

The elderly woman called 311 last month to report the problem, believing the city or the power company is responsible for the cleanup. But that call led to a warning by the city, claiming that although the bushy area is not in her property, the homeowner is responsible.

A city code states all homeowners are responsible for maintaining and cleaning up to 14 feet of the easement behind their property or be fined. Reyes Martinez says at her age she isn't able to do it.

We also reached out to CenterPoint who sent a crew within a couple of hours. A spokesperson with CenterPoint tells us the utility poles will be picked up within the next few days.