HEARNE, Texas (KRHD) — Residents at the Hearne Housing Authority are dealing with ongoing illegal dumping that's creating unsightly messes and financial strain for the community.
"They know they're doing, doing the wrong thing. So, that's what I don't like about it," Hearne resident Caroline Softoy said.
At the Hearne Housing Authority, some dumpsters are turning into full-on dumping grounds, with furniture, tires and trash being illegally discarded.
"It frustrates me seriously, really frustrating. I'm like, why do they do us like this?" Softoy said.
The illegal dumping is happening at all three housing sites, creating major headaches for housing staff who must clean up the mess.
"It's unsightly, and it's embarrassing for the people that take pride in their homes," Executive Director of the Hearne Housing Authority, Sherrie Conn said. "If it's full, they'll just throw it all around. It'll be all around it and the guys have to come in with the truck and trailer and remove other people's items before they can even do their job."
Conn tells15 ABC the problem isn't just frustrating — it's financially draining for the housing authority.
"I've been here since March of 40 years ago, and it's constantly been a problem. It seems to be more excessive here in the last several years than in the past," she said.
When asked how it feels to see the problem worsen over time, Conn responded: "It's heartbreaking. It's heart breaking that the community is not taking pride in their community."
The ongoing issue has pushed the housing authority to install surveillance cameras at all three sites.
"We can go back and and look at those cameras and very clear pictures, very clear pictures of the license plates," Conn said.
Residents like Softoy hope these cameras make the message loud and clear to those responsible.
"I hope they listen and listen well that we don't like it, you know, don't like them coming over here dumping in this area like that," Softoy said. "I just hope they hear me talking. Stop it. Please leave your trash at home and put your trash out somewhere else."
Conn tells 15 ABC the new cameras have already caught people in the act, and she's calling on neighbors to speak up and help keep these sites clean.
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