San Antonio Community Alarmed by Neglected Trash Problem on Jenny Drive

San Antonio Residents Concerned Over Piling Trash Problem

In the far Northeast side of San Antonio, a troubling situation has been growing, and it’s gotten so bad that it feels like the problem is straight out of a movie about a neighborhood gone wrong. The scene is set at a residential home lot on Jenny Drive, where trash has been piling up for years, unwanted animals have made it their home, and even a squatter has set up camp amidst the mess.

The View from Next Door

Meet Thomas Brown, a nearby property owner who can’t help but be affected by this unfortunate situation. He owns two properties that directly border the neglected lot, and according to him, the scene is simply “atrocious.” Brown describes the rear of the property, where heaps of debris and trash are evident, as a troubling sight that’s hard to shake off. He mentions, “This all used to be full,” indicating how the lot has deteriorated over time.

The origins of this mess trace back to a fire that occurred about five years ago, leaving the property vulnerable and, unfortunately, becoming a hot spot for illegal dumping ever since. Brown adds further to the concern, “She [the squatter] was able to get some friends and moved a lot of stuff that way,” referencing how the squatter has somewhat made the clutter a little less overwhelming but certainly does not solve the underlying issue.

Government Response

While it appears that the problem has reached alarming levels, Bexar County officials have taken notice. They set up a camera last March, which Brown thought was a proactive move to deter further dumping. However, the camera was taken down shortly thereafter without any clear explanation. This lack of communication about the action—or inaction—has left the residents shaking their heads in disbelief.

When community members sought answers, they received a statement from Bexar County Environmental Services. The statement read, “Bexar County Environmental Services is aware of the situation at the property located on 6400 Jenny Drive and is attempting communication with the owner of the property. We understand the impact this issue is having on the surrounding area, and we will continue to follow up until the situation is remedied.”

The Stakes of Neglect

For Brown, waiting around for change is not an option. He firmly believes that if this dumpster-like environment were found in a more affluent neighborhood, there would have been immediate action taken to clean it up. “I guarantee you if this happened in a high dollar neighborhood, it would have been cleaned up in a week,” he says with a frustrated tone. He adds, “It makes me feel like our government is not doing what it should be doing to protect citizens, people.”

This growing frustration reflects a common sentiment among community members who are feeling neglected and overlooked as they watch trash accumulate in their neighborhood. They feel that every citizen deserves a safe and clean living environment, regardless of where they live in San Antonio.

What’s Next?

The situation on Jenny Drive is a reminder of how important it is to stay vigilant and keep an eye on local issues that affect us all. For now, the community waits to see what further actions the county will take to address the situation. Will they finally act on the rising concerns? Or will the trash keep piling up, with the neighborhood suffering in silence?

As residents pay close attention, they can only hope their voices will be heard, and that action will be taken sooner rather than later. For Thomas Brown and others around him, it’s a matter of reclaiming their community and sending the message that every block in San Antonio deserves care, attention, and respect.