'It’s depressing. It’s disgusting.' Frustration grows in Paterson over illegal dumping
According to the mayor, 20 people have pleaded guilty in court so far in connection to illegal dumping since the program began.
More Stories
Residents in Paterson say illegal dumping continues to plague their neighborhoods and many feel the situation is getting worse.
“It’s sad. It’s depressing. It’s disgusting,” said resident Briana Abreu. “You feel ashamed to even have people come to your street because it looks like this.”
Neighbors say people from outside the city are driving in and dumping mattresses, furniture and other trash directly onto local streets, sometimes in broad daylight.
“I’ve actually seen people drop mattresses and sofas here, no care in the world,” Abreu added.
RELATED: ‘Paterson is not a dumping ground.’ Mayor announces crackdown on illegal dumping
RELATED: Paterson rolls out improvements to quality-of-life app Paterson Plus
The issue has become unbearable for some longtime residents. Miranda Zoraida, who has lived on Wabash Avenue for the past decade, says she is now selling her home and will move out of state.
“The taxes keep going higher and higher, and we don’t get help,” she said. “What’s the point if our streets look like this?”
City officials say they are aware of the problem and have taken steps to address it. Last year, Paterson launched an initiative to crack down on illegal dumping.
Mayor Andre Sayegh says the effort is making progress, but admits more work needs to be done.
“It’s working, but we’ve got a lot of work to do,” he said.
According to Sayegh, 20 people have pleaded guilty in court so far in connection to illegal dumping since the program began.
The city has also installed cameras in areas known for frequent dumping in an effort to catch violators.
Those caught illegally dumping can face fines of up to $10,000.
Residents can report illegal dumping through the Paterson Plus mobile app and schedule their bulk trash pickup.
