A company faces charges for illegal dumping caught on camera as a council member proposes $3M to combat the issue citywide.
HOUSTON — A local company is facing charges after investigators say workers were caught on camera illegally dumping hundreds of pounds of commercial waste in Independence Heights.
Authorities said employees with Therm All Insulation Inc. dumped debris just feet from a nearby building, with a lookout posted during the act. Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen said the operation appeared deliberate.
“Someone on the scooter on the lookout for the dumping — they’ve done this before,” Rosen said. “It was choreographed … certainly not the first time.”
Investigators said the workers were identified using one of hundreds of cameras installed across the city. Rosen added that the case is especially troubling given the company’s size.
“Particularly concerning because this is a national company,” he said. “I am sure they can afford to properly dispose it.”
The company’s manager was also charged, accused of directing employees to dump the waste illegally. Rosen noted there is a legal dump site about a mile away, calling the situation “grossly irresponsible.”
On the same day the charges were announced, Council Member Alejandra Salinas introduced a proposed budget amendment aimed at tackling illegal dumping. Her plan would allocate $3 million toward enforcement and prevention efforts.
“The current budget does not allocate any money towards combating illegal dumping,” Salinas said.
Salinas said the city receives about 9,000 illegal dumping reports each year, and a recent study recommended nearly $2.9 million to address the problem. Her proposal would shift funding from a $38 million allocation for management consultants.
For residents living near dump sites, Salinas said the investment is overdue.
“This is not healthy and unacceptable any Houstonian has to live or be near this,” she said.
The company and its manager could face up to two years in prison and fines if convicted. City Council is expected to vote on the proposed funding on June 10.
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