Cleveland residents living near East 49th Street say illegal dumping has gotten out of hand—spilling into surrounding streets and disrupting daily life.
Neighbors on nearby East 46th Street, just off Cedar Avenue, are voicing their concerns about the growing trash piles. “We have people who litter, urinate outside, and everything,” said one resident, who asked to remain anonymous. “It’s getting worse, and we’re tired of living like this.”
Carletta Evans, another East 46th resident, said the garbage buildup on East 49th has been an ongoing problem for at least two years, but recently, she’s noticed an increase in daytime dumping. “It’s all the time now,” she said. “We don’t feel like we should have to live around this.”
The area is dotted with boarded-up homes and vacant lots filled with debris—just steps away from George Washington Carver Elementary School. Neighbors say they work hard to keep their street clean, but feel their efforts are being undermined.
“It’s frustrating because most of us are doing our part,” the anonymous neighbor added. “We just want a peaceful, clean place to live. Not everyone can afford to move out.”
The Cleveland Division of Police confirmed they were previously unaware of the severity of the issue but plan to investigate further through the Environmental Crimes Task Force. The city’s Public Works Department also visited the site Monday to assess the situation.
Residents hope city officials and law enforcement will take swift action to hold those responsible accountable and restore the area’s cleanliness.