Illegal Dumping in Poor Neighborhoods

In the North Overton Neighborhood in Lubbock (TX) trash is piling up in my alley.

I was able to identify the person who dumped the trash (she left her mail in the trash).

Police was called multiple times to report unauthorized dumping. The police dispatcher claimed that this is not a police matter and referred me to "Zoning" (769-2123). When I insisted that this is a citizen's report of an misdemeanor, I was shouted at:"You don't tell me what I have to do."

I finally called "Zoning". From here I was sent to "Environmental Health" (775-3000). After one week nothing happened and I called "Environmental Health" again.

September 10, 1997, about two weeks after I reported the illegal dumping (including name and address of the person who dumped the trash), I receive a certified mail from Rick Derr (Inspector of Environmental Services) that I had to clean up the trash myself within 10 days. In this letter I was threatened with a lawsuit in State District Court.

September 10: I call Rick Derr and receive his voice mail and leave him a message.

September 15: Rick Derr decides not to return my phone call. When I call at 4:20 P.M., he again is not available.

Questions:

• How do authorities treat complaints from other districts in town?
• Will citizens of the North Overton Neighborhood use their rights to achieve sanitary conditions?
• To what extent are city officials responsible in keeping the status quo in the so called Ghetto?

The trash gives evidence to the reputation of the neighborhood: