A growing illegal dumping site behind a former Pizza Hut along Antoine Drive has neighbors demanding action.

Residents in the Inwood North area of northwest Houston said the trash pile has become both an eyesore and a health and safety concern. The debris includes broken furniture, shattered glass, a toilet and an old aquarium filled with murky water.

Despite multiple “No Dumping Allowed” signs posted on the property, neighbors said the dumping has continued.

After seeing little progress, Adam Contreras and his parents, David and Millie Contreras, contacted KHOU 11 for help. During a visit to the site, reporter Michelle Choi spoke with the family and pressed both county officials and representatives for the property owner for answers and potential solutions.

“So what we’re seeing is years of neglect. This is just disrespect in the highest form,” Adam Contreras said. “There needs to be accountability.”

The Contreras family said they have lived in the community for more than 30 years and have watched the area decline.

“It drives away business, investment and creates a lot of hopelessness,” Adam Contreras said.

Millie Contreras said seeing the trash pile makes her angry.

“As a mom, I want to get a trash bag and start cleaning up,” she said.

The family said they have tried cleaning up parts of the area themselves, but said the problem is too large for residents to handle alone.

KHOU 11 reached out to Harris County Precinct 1 for answers. Precinct officials said because the site is private property, legal hurdles prevent immediate county-led cleanup but they’re now working closely with county health officials to address it.

Harris County Public Health has also posted a notice at the property declaring it a public nuisance.

Representatives for the property owner told KHOU the site has already been cleaned up two to three times, costing thousands of dollars. They also said fencing installed around the property failed after repeated break-ins and vandalism.

The representatives said the property owner is now waiting on a permit to demolish and level the property, hoping an empty lot will be easier to secure and help prevent future illegal dumping.

The Contreras family said they believe more can still be done.

“Action needs to be taken and the public should be mad and the public deserves better,” Adam Contreras said.

Millie Contreras said the family’s message is simple.

“We want it cleaned up,” she said.

Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis said he wants a quick resolution.

“No family should have to live near dangerous illegal dumping that threatens their health, safety and quality of life,” Ellis said in an emailed statement. “This is private property, which limits the county’s ability to simply enter and clean it up immediately, but Harris County Public Health has inspected the site, confirmed ongoing nuisance conditions, initiated the abatement process and pursued criminal charges after the owner failed to act. We support using every available tool to protect residents and bring this property into compliance.”

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