Homeowners in San Antonio’s far South Side, specifically in District 3, are sounding the alarm over a persistent wave of illegal dumping, animal waste and sporadic gunfire that they say the city has failed to address.
Long‑standing problem
David Trevino and Molly Buckelew, who live about a mile and a half apart, say they have been battling the trash problem for decades. “We’ve been fighting this trash for decades,” Buckelew told reporters.
Trevino described the debris he regularly finds along neighborhood roads – from bedding and cabinets to broken mirrors, furniture and construction materials. “I know it’s probably the same contractors coming out here dumping,” he said.
Additional safety concerns
Beyond the trash, the residents report other quality‑of‑life issues. They say the area experiences animal dumping and occasional test‑fires of firearms, with some individuals selling guns before their vehicles disappear from the scene. Trevino added that human bodies have been found dumped nearby in the past, underscoring the seriousness of the problem.
Calls for city response
Both homeowners have filed 311 reports, but say the city’s response has been limited. “We pay our taxes just like everybody else, and nobody’s taking care of us out here,” Buckelew said. “The city wanted to take it in, but they’re not taking care of us.”
In an effort to curb the dumping, Trevino suggested installing surveillance cameras at hotspot locations. “I’m not for the surveillance state, but sometimes you just need it,” he explained.
City’s official stance
Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran’s office declined an interview but issued a statement: “The District 3 Office continues to work diligently to address these issues, and we encourage our residents to be active partners in our community. If you see something, say something, and report concerns to 311.”
The statement places the onus on residents to report incidents, but the homeowners argue that reporting alone has not yielded tangible improvements.
Historical context
Parts of the area near Mauermann Road and South Zarzamora Street received city utility and planning designations under the City South Community Plan in 2003 and were fully incorporated into San Antonio in December 2007. Despite the formal incorporation, many longtime residents feel the city’s services have lagged behind.
What’s next?
Residents plan to continue pressing the city council for concrete actions, including possible camera installations and stricter enforcement of illegal dumping statutes. They also hope the city will allocate more resources for regular clean‑up crews and faster response to 311 calls.
As the community waits for a substantive response, the ongoing dumping and safety concerns remain a daily reminder of what they describe as a lack of city services in their neighborhood.
Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
