Garbage truck issues leave trash overflowing in NW Harris County neighborhood

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Communities on the north side of Houston are dealing with a smelly problem as trash builds up on the curbs.

"It smells like dead people," resident Jessica Lowry described.

Trash cans are overflowing and bags are piled strategically high.

"The strays, they dig into trash and then end up tearing the bags," Lesley Estrada explained why her bags were stacked one on top of the other and balanced against the mailbox.

Residents say for a month, trash pick-up -- once twice a week -- has been a guessing game.

"It is a problem," said Josefina Saldana.

Eyewitness News tracked the delayed pick-up to Tommy Miles Garbage Service near Acres Homes. It is one of a handful of contractors that serves the neighborhood. The office manager who identified herself only as "Vickie" said they've had several trucks "go down."

She declined an on-camera interview but she admitted that service to their 6,500 customers in northeast and northwest Harris County has been delayed. Five out of six trucks are just sitting in a field, in need of repairs and the owner, "Vickie" says she is in the hospital.

Customer Tory Bryan, who lives in Cypress, drove by on his way home from work just to make sure they're still in business.

"It's been a couple of weeks and they haven't showed up," he told Eyewitness News.

The office manager says they should be caught up in a few week, back to twice-weekly pickups. Customers are fed up with the delays.

"It's kind of hard trying to guess when they're going to come for it," Estrada added.

Customers pay in advance for the garbage service. The company denied any financial problems.