A White Rock woman says she is fed up with the “endless” illegal dumping that has taken place in her neighbourhood in recent months, and is worried about what she will find on the sidewalk next.
Debbie Gidluck told Peace Arch News last week several garbage bags full of clothes, as well as an artificial plant and other random items were left at the corner of Anderson Street and McDonald Avenue Nov. 10.
The latest incident is one of at least six that has taken place this year, Gidluck said; other items left on the sidewalk in recent months include a pressure washer, hot-water heater, boxes of old dishes and home decor items.
The recurring problem comes as a surprise to White Rock’s director of engineering and municipal operations Greg St. Louis, who said the city has no records of complaints from that neighbourhood.
“To be honest, we’re really fortunate here in the City of White Rock,” St. Louis said. “We get less than 10 illegal dumping complaints during the year.”
When a complaint is received, St. Louis said the city investigates, and if the owner of the illegally dumped items can be tracked down, a $100 fine is issued.
“Nine times out of 10 we try to work with people to solve the problem,” St. Louis said. “Penalties and fines aren’t always the best way to deal with this sort of thing.”
Gidluck, who said she lives on a steep hill and can’t see down to the sidewalk, said in most cases she has removed the garbage herself, for fear that others may follow suit and dump more items.
“I don’t want people to think this is a good place to leave stuff,” she said.
“I’m worried that I’m going to go out one day and find a whole couch and a mattress out there.”