It’s likely that someone is angry about the rubbish that’s strewn all over their neighborhood or place of business wherever you go in Los Angeles.
An alley behind Ruben Donis’ Pacoima residence is one example. He has witnessed and occasionally documented individuals disposing of everything from sinks behind his neighborhood to construction metal mesh, sandpaper, and old wood for years.
Donis said, “People just come with trash from the job site,” as he passed some of the rubbish. “This sink is located here. A bathroom or kitchen was demoed by someone.
Donis believes dishonest contractors may charge their customers to remove their waste but keep the money rather than sending it to a landfill. Jeff Nguyen, a reporter for KCAL News, witnessed two trucks driving down the alley during Donis’ brief interview. One of the men, who was searching for scraps, threw a 2-by-4-inch piece of wood back into the muck after realizing the cameras were there.
Another unplanned dump is located next to Jeremy Mora’s company in downtown Los Angeles. His security cameras showed persons lugging big bins and emptying them in the middle of the street at night, as well as a front loader dumping trash. Additionally, it occurred during business hours in broad daylight, was caught on camera, and had numerous witnesses.
The neighborhood is known as “Produce Row.” Here, rat-infested trucks discharge fruits and vegetables that wind up on people’s plates. Rat droppings are all over the pavement.
“I mean worst-case scenario, these rats get to play with your food,” Mora stated. “It’s a health hazard.”
The issue is not unique to Pacoima’s Produce Row or Donis’s area. A truck slamming on the brakes to swiftly discharge a sofa and vehicle bumper next to Dj Eddie One’s house was seen on camera.
“It was distressing because it was whole pieces of an engine,” said Dj Eddie One, who hosts MEGA 96.3 FM’s morning drive.
According to data analyzed by KCAL News from the LA City Department of Sanitation, between 2021 and 2023, the number of calls for service regarding illegal dumping decreased by almost 14%. Citations, however, nearly increased in the same time frame.
In contrast to last year’s upward trend, the citation rate decreased from January to July 2024.
Eleven environmental compliance officers with enforcement authority against unlawful dumping were added to the city budget in 2022. Those 11 posts remained in place the next year. However, no one at City Hall could explain why they were removed from the current budget.
“Dumping is still a significant issue, and we’re addressing it,” stated Randall Winston, the deputy mayor of infrastructure. “Enforcement is one tool in the toolset.”
Winston claimed that in order to better address problems like unlawful dumping, Mayor Karen Bass redesigned the 311 program. The City Controller’s Office reports that between 2021 and 2023, the budget for the Bureau of Sanitation grew by around $90 million. However, compared to the current fiscal year, it was reduced by almost $15 million.
“We’ve actually improved our service over the previous year, so even if I’m not familiar with that number, I will discuss our approach to cleaning up the city. In order to create a new strategy for citywide cleaning, we’re currently reallocating resources,” Winston stated.
According to Winston, the new strategy will be implemented either in early 2025 or later this year.
A proposal to direct Sanitation and other relevant departments to find funding to “resume illegal dumping investigations” was adopted by the LA City Council on October 1st, citing the fact that “the unit was not provided the required funding.”
“We provided photos, videos, and a timestamp,” Mora stated. “No matter how much information and evidence you give them there is absolutely zero enforcement effort.”
Artemiza and Gabino Arreola’s daughter-in-law captured another example of an unplanned junkyard on video. The pair claims that there is a sheen of motor oil on top of the rubbish, which has also been disposed of behind their house.
According to their daughter-in-law, she has contacted 311 numerous times and sent her emails to Councilmember Monica Rodriguez’s office, begging for assistance.
In October, KCAL News repeatedly asked her spokeswoman for an interview; however, it wasn’t until just before this story ran that her office released a statement.
“I take illegal dumping and community cleanliness very seriously,” she said. “My team conducts weekly community drives to ensure this area and all other areas in Council District 7 remain clean.”
Donis interpreted for Artemiza Arreola when she said, “Every time, I call Monica to pick up the trash she’ll wait like two months,” in Spanish.
Our request for an interview was likewise turned down by the Sanitation Department. However, they sent a statement saying they’re “committed to combating blight and leveraging existing resources through a strategic approach.” The organization further stated that “in November, we began deploying crews to additional areas daily to collect litter, debris, illegal dumping and bulky items.”
Donis has worked hard to transform his backyard into a hideaway, but when he recently returned home, trash had been thrown into it from the alley. He frequently discovers syringes left by scavengers attracted to the trash on the opposite side of the wall. He claimed that his family has had to forgo spending time outside with his kids because of the trash.
He remarked, “It’s sad,” ‘Can we have a movie night?’ my children will ask. Bring pillows, a blanket and just be here with a little popcorn and have the family and enjoy, but we can’t.”
Leading up to this report, the mayor’s office sent us photos and videos of a cleanup effort she hosted this past weekend. Donis said he did get a call from Deputy Mayor Winston in mid-November promising more will be done. There hasn’t been any follow-up since then, according to Donis.
Councilwoman Rodriguez’s office said it has reached out to the neighborhood featured in the story but the people KCAL News talked to disputed that claim. They said they gave up on calling 311 after years of disappointment.
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