Neighbors say they're growing frustrated with illegal dumping in the Fifth Ward

Wednesday, October 22, 2025
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Fifth Ward neighbors said they're tired of seeing people dumping their trash near their homes and want the area cleaned so that people will stop using their neighborhood as a dumping ground.

On Linn Street, there are clear "no dumping" signs from the city.

Residents said there are piles and piles of trash, dismissing the posted messages of fines associated with illegal dumping, with one neighbor telling ABC13 she's over it.

"I said, 'No, they didn't,'" neighbor Janie Hill said. "They're jumping off the truck, and they do it so fast, and they're out of here."

Hill, who's 85 years old, said she has lived on Linn Street for decades. She said the posted "no dumping" signs on her road are doing nothing.



"This is ridiculous because it makes the neighborhood look so bad," Hill said.

Hill says she often sees people emptying out their trucks onto her street.

"I tell you what. You put up some cameras, guess what?! You got them on the down low! Because they come so fast and when you look, oh my God... four or five men, and I say, 'No y'all didn't,'" Hill said.

About two miles from Hill's home on Lee Street near Semmes Street, another neighbor says that for months, trash has been piling up in the park in front of her porch -- piles of trash with glass, medicine, and even furniture.

"You go further down, it's the same thing. Trash. Trash," a neighbor named Maria said.



A few steps away from her home, there's a dumped semi with piles of trash oozing out of it.

"Let them come down and come to the Fifth Ward and see what I'm talking about," Maria said.

Less than three miles from Maria's house, a different viewer called ABC13 to tell us that on Taylor Court, there are tires, trash, and even a door that was left dumped weeks ago, and no one has cleaned it up.

"We all pay taxes, right? And we expect with our tax money to clean up the area. At least clean up the car parts," Maria said.

Maria says she's been told to call Crime Stoppers to report people when they're dumping trash in the area illegally, but it's something she says she's done. Now, she says she just wants action.



"Just to clean it up. That's the main thing because we live here," Maria said.

ABC13 has reached out to the city to address the concerns people in this community are facing and is awaiting a response.

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