LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A stretch of road near Valley View Boulevard and Blue Diamond Road in southwest Las Vegas has become a recurring illegal dumping hotspot, with furniture, household trash and needles left along the roadway.
WATCH | Southwest Las Vegas reporter Shakeria Hawkins talked with a junk removal company about the growing problem:
Trey Johnson, owner of Vegas Strong Junk Removal, says the problem is ongoing and shows no signs of stopping.
"The southwest, here on Valley View and Blue Diamond, this one-mile stretch is a hot spot," Johnson said.
Johnson and his wife, Alexandria, run Vegas Strong Junk Removal and say illegal dumping in the area is among the worst they have seen. Johnson says the problem is not new.
"There's always piles here. Two months ago, there were an unbelievable amount of furniture just left alongside the road," Johnson said.
The dumping also creates safety concerns beyond the trash itself.
"If you look around, here we have needles on the ground," Johnson said.
Johnson says his company has been dealing with the problem since it opened.
"There was a refrigerator laying out there that someone dumped and we picked up. We see it since we opened in 2019. It's a huge thing every year," Johnson said.
Johnson says cleaning up the trash is only part of the solution. He believes property owners and managers of vacant lots need to take a more active role.
"I think that it falls on the people that own the empty lots. I think they should be held responsible and they should have someone out here managing their lot," Johnson said.
The couple also says customers who hire junk removal companies share some responsibility. They say people should research the companies they hire to make sure waste is disposed of properly.
"People need to do their research," Alexandria said.
Johnson is also calling on residents to stay alert and report dumping when they see it.
"My message to any community who has illegal dumping sites is just be vigilant," Johnson said.
Illegal dumping carries a fine of up to $1,000, along with community service.
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