Throughout Columbia and Marion County, the illegal dumping of items has been an ongoing problem and combined with litter creates a constant eyesore. The problem is how to solve the issue?
On Wednesday, Mayor Justin McKenzie said his workers are out two to three days a week doing nothing but cleaning up trash.
“It affects the physical appearance and also the property values,” McKenzie said.
The county had recently placed a “No Dumping” sign on Horseshoe Drive, just off of Mississippi 35 North. A few feet behind it is furniture that was recently illegally dumped.
“No one calls us and asks where they can take the items. They just find a place to drop it,” District 2 Supervisor John Moree said.
Moree said the issue has been very frustrating because the county crews have to stop and clean up the mess. Moree said there other issues that need attention, such as working on the roads. Moree admits the problem is everywhere in the city and county, and it is a constant battle.
Another problem Moree said is big is hunters dump deer carcasses in the ditches and near culverts. That also requires additional time away from more pressing issues.
“Not very sportsmen like, is it?” Moree rhetorically asked.
He said he wished there could be more prosecution of people littering and dumping items illegally. Maybe then, he said, it will stop.
Marion County Sheriff Berkley Hall said it is a large problem, and it is everywhere.
“The state spends $3 million for trash clean-up just on the state highways,” he said.
Hall said it is ridiculous the amount of trash and junk being on the side of the roads, and it is a problem that keeps their hands tied. Unless one of the deputies sees it happen, it is nearly impossible to make an arrest.
“The county does not have the money or the manpower to be able to clean up the sides of the roads daily,” Hall said.
However, he said if anyone sees someone littering or dumping items off on the side of the road, to get the tag number and call it in so something can be done.
