LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — It is a problem for many valley neighborhoods that border the desert: illegal dumping behind their homes.
Now, there’s a new solution being tried out in the Mission Hills area in southeast Henderson. Lines of boulders has been placed blocking openings within the last week. The hope is to block access to those using the desert land illegally.
“It’s been relentless. They wake me up at night… big trucks are coming in there that they they’re not supposed to be back there. There’s a posted sign up here that says no off-road vehicles,” described Linda Freeman who moved to neighborhood 25 years ago for the peace and quiet.
“It is so dark back here behind my house, I can actually see shooting stars at night,” Freeman shared. The secluded location has become a late-night hot spot.
“This is our backyard and right over there… where they go in and line 100 cars,” Freeman explained to FOX5’s Kim Passoth.
During the day, people dumping trash is constant problem.
“In the last couple of years. It has gotten tenfold. People I’ve caught people, my neighbor and I have caught a couple of people dumping back there, and we’ve had to chase them and get their license plates and turn them in because, I mean, they’re dumping everything from couches to rocks to big old landscaping trees to everything back there,” Freeman stated.
Dumping and partying is a problem that’s been plaguing those who maintain open land at the edges of the valley. The BLM told FOX5 one employee alone is responsible for cleaning up whatever is dumped on 26,000 acres of land.
Freeman believes the boulders are making a difference and says she’s already seeing a change in her neighborhood since they were brought in now blocking the way of those causing problem.
“I thought, ‘Hey, this is really cool… this is a great solution,’” Freeman recounted. While the boulders are big enough to block vehicles and ATV’s, there is still room for horses or people to walk get around them.
FOX5 reached out to the city of Henderson asking about this project, specifically how many boulders were placed and where the money to pay for them came from. We will update this report when we hear back.
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