New billboards in Houston deter people from illegal dumping

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Illegal dumping is not unique to any one part of Houston.

It's become an issue impacting several different neighborhoods. Now, there's a new initiative to try to combat that with billboards that warn people of its consequences.

"If we catch you on our cameras, we are going to do all we can to enforce the law and prosecute people who continue to dump in our district," Houston Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum said.

Castex-Tatum announced this new campaign over the weekend.

"We're utilizing billboards that currently aren't being used," Castex-Tatum said. "But fortunately, these billboards also play a major role in getting our message out directly near spaces that have been problems for us."

According to 311 data, there have been more than 2,000 trash dumping or illegal dumpsite cases in the last three months.

It's a problem the city has thrown millions of dollars towards over the years.

So, how much is this costing, and where is the money coming from?

"We only paid $1,300 for the printing of the actual screens," Castex-Tatum said. "We used our council district service funds to make sure we are getting this public awareness out to the community."

Castex-Tatum said the billboard space was donated by owners Outdoor Media and Clear Channel. She said they plan to have them up for six months.

While it's yet to be seen what impact the billboards have, she anticipated more than a million people would lay eyes on them. She hopes the message sinks in.

"If they have dumped before, maybe it'll deter them from dumping again," Castex-Tatum said. "If they've never done that before, we want them to continue that practice."