Under cover of darkness, blight festers in the city

The alley on the east side of Jos. Campau near Caniff has been a favorite spot for illegal dumping. The city has been battling this problem for a number of years. Ultimately, though, it’s the responsibility of the building owner to clean up the dumping.

 
By Charles Sercombe
It’s a mystery.
For some reason, one location in the center of the city has been a magnet over the years as a place for illegal dumpings.
It’s in the alley on the east side of Jos. Campau at Caniff. On most days you can see loose garbage and large items deposited there – usually pieces of furniture.
This past week was no exception. Two couches and a large pile of trash were dumped at the site.
Kathy Angerer, the Director of Community & Economic Development and head of the city’s code enforcement, said she has been aware of this hotspot.
She says the dumpings happen at night when few people are around to witness it.
“Catching illegal dumping after-hours is hard,” Angerer said.
No matter how the trash gets there, it’s up to the building’s owner to remove it. Angerer said her office works with owners who are the victim of illegal dumpings, but ultimately they have to clean it up.
“They need to monitor their property,” she said.
There are other hot spots in the city as well.
Angerer said dumpers often target the outskirts of the city, such as on Hamtramck Dr., Denton, Conant and empty lots.
“We try to stay on top of it but it’s not easy,” Angerer said.
This is where the public comes in. Angerer stressed that anyone who witnesses illegal dumpings needs to immediately call the police department.
Officers, too, are part of the eyes and ears of the community who are on the lookout for illegal dumpings, and occasionally some dumpers are caught by officers on patrol.
Those apprehensions, however, are far and few between.