Oakland grapples with illegal dumping in some areas

OAKLAND (KTVU)  -- Residents and business owners in Oakland are asking for help as the city grapples with what seems to be the growing problem of illegal trash dumping in city limits.     

Some business owners have decided to rent dumpsters so those who drop trash illegally can at least have a place to put it. And Oakland city leaders have installed cameras in some areas while some firms are helping out by adding lights.

Oakland Councilman Noel Gallo said enforcement is key but residents must report illegal dumping in order to reduce the amount of illegally dumped trash.  

KTVU recently obtained surveillance video that showed offenders dumping trash and setting it on fire on Aug. 28  

"Somebody came and lit the garbage over here," said Jose Ortez of Oakland. "And this garbage could have lit up the whole building." 

On a recent tour of the area, burnt furniture and a scorched tree remained. Residents insist that illegally dumped trash is an eyesore but say the recent torching was potentially dangerous. Residents say the origin of the dumping is from people who don't live in the area.

"People (are) coming from Hayward and San Leandro because they know they can come to our neighborhood and dump anything they want for free," Ortez said. 

East Oakland seems to be a magnet for illegal dumping.

"I'm used to this (but) unfortunately we just have to stay on top of it until they come pick it up," said Lizzie Holloway of Oakland. 

Across town near the intersection of 77th Avenue and Spencer Street, residents say an illegal dump site is a problem in their neighborhood and has people calling for solutions.

"I think they can stop hiring police and give more jobs to the community to help fight this problem that we're having," Holloway said.

By KTVU reporter Paul Chambers.