Illegal dumping problem persists

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/10/2021 (1550 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The backlane of one block in Elmwood remains a spot where illegal dumping regularly occurs, and at least one resident has had enough of it.

Ken Ciecko, who owns a home in the 500 block of Ottawa Avenue, told The Herald that over the past few years “nothing has been done … to fix this continuous problem of keeping the area properly maintained, safe and free from garbage and weeds and grass growing out of control on city property.”

The south side of the block is residential, but the north side in industrial. In 2018, The Herald reported on the issue. Every year since, Ciecko maintains, the problem persists. 

“I am past the point of being frustrated with everyone that has been involved in this constant problem,” Ciecko said. “My hope is that this will not be a one-time fix and the area will be inspected and maintained moving forward.”

Coun. Jason Schreyer (Elmwood-East Kildonan) said he is aware of the situation in the 500 block of Ottawa.

“It’s an unfortunate aspect of life, that these things happen,” Schreyer said, noting that dumping garbage on either city or public property is a crime, and should be treated as such. “Unless people are caught, what do you do? I’m open to suggestions.”

Schreyer noted that community cleanups could be organized to tackle problem areas, though the COVID-19 pandemic has curtailed many of those activities over the past couple of years.

“Unfortunately, those have kind of gone by the wayside,” he said.

Schreyer also noted that he would like to see the city take environmental design into consideration when approving new developments, which could help eliminate some of the conditions that encourage illegal dumping or other criminal activity. 

If residents notice garbage on city property, Schreyer added, they should call 311. To discourage illegal dumping on private property, homeowners could also take steps to install motion-detecting lighting and/or security cameras.

“The reality is that people are responsible for what occurs on their property, unless they can take any civil or legal action,” Schreyer said. “That goes for any kind of crime.”

Sheldon Birnie
Community Journalist

Sheldon Birnie is a reporter/photographer for the Free Press Community Review. The author of Missing Like Teeth: An Oral History of Winnipeg Underground Rock (1990-2001), his writing has appeared in journals and online platforms across Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. A husband and father of two young children, Sheldon enjoys playing guitar and rec hockey when he can find the time. Email him at sheldon.birnie@freepress.mb.ca Call him at 204-697-7112

   Read full biography