Junkluggers of San Antonio reached out to KENS 5 one day after the first story ran, expressing interest to remove the assortment of furniture and electronics.
SAN ANTONIO — Just two days after KENS 5’s initial story, Betty Washington is thankful for the service of one junk removal company’s efforts to clean up the illegal dumpsite of unsightly trash behind her home.
“I’m so happy to see this cleaned up because it’s a hazard. I’m just happy to see that somebody cares,” Washington said. “Looks like a miracle because there was furniture and all kinds of stuff that shouldn’t have been there.”
The Bexar County resident had been trying to get someone official to do something about the mess situated along an extensive green belt off Melbury Forest Drive.
She finally got a hold of Bexar County Precinct 4 Commissioner Tommy Calvert’s office, which forwarded the issue to the county’s Environmental Services Department. According to a representative with Calvert’s office, Environmental Services has issued a notice of violation against the property owner.
In the meantime, Junkluggers of San Antonio reached out to KENS expressing interest in removing the pile of trash for Washington and the neighborhood.
“Every neighborhood needs a Miss Washington, someone that looks out for others and someone who isn’t afraid to get involved,” said Steve Muller, chief executive lugger with Junkluggers of San Antonio. “Illegal dumping has become a major issue here in San Antonio and it’s very important to recycle mattresses and electronics.”
It took around 15-20 minutes for the Junkluggers crew to remove the trash from the property. The service was not only a win for the neighborhood but a win for the nonprofit that aids homeless veterans known as Vet Strong.
“One of the ways that they’re able to do that and fund their programs is to recycle mattresses. It was very easy for us to come out here, get some electronics and mattresses and keep those out of the landfills,” Muller said.
As for Washington, she’s determined to keep on trying to hold whoever is accountable to ensure her neighborhood doesn’t continue to become a site for people to dump their unwanted belongings. But she stressed it’ll take the entire community.
“All I can do is just hope that we can do the best we can to try to keep the neighborhood clean.”