Milwaukee resident battles mounting trash as city weighs higher dumping fines

A Milwaukee alderwoman is expected to introduce legislation this week to increase fines for illegal dumping. Alderwoman Andrea Pratt recently told WISN 12 News there are more than 30 illegal dumping sites in her district on the city’s north side that get regular complaints. Pratt said the city must do more to deter the activity. Shirley Trejo, 70, said Tuesday anything would help. WISN 12 News first interviewed Trejo at her home at 20th Street and Concordia Avenue in August 2024 as she battled illegal dumping on the lot of a vacant house next door. The city cleaned it up, the lot is once again overflowing with trash and larger items, including couches, dressers and a toilet. “This is what happens when people don’t care anymore,” Trejo said Tuesday as she looked at the items. “And you know it’s just getting out of hand, and we should care more about our city.”Trejo grew up in Milwaukee in the 1960s and said it wasn’t always like this. “Every weekend, the whole block was cleaning up. Making sure that our block looked presentable. But now, people just don’t care. That’s the problem. They don’t care about where they live,” Trejo said. Trejo pointed out that some of the trash included discarded mail and papers that showed it came from less than a block away. “It’s the people in the community that’s doing this,” Trejo said. “As citizens, we’re supposed to look out for where we stay. If we want to live in a beautiful community, we got to do better.”Pratt’s move to increase dumping fines will be heard at Thursday’s Public Safety and Health Committee meeting. Fines can already be as much as $5,000.Trejo said Tuesday the threat of fines is all well and good, but what’s really needed is more people speaking out against illegal dumping when they see it.”I come out and say, ‘Please don’t dump that there. I know you’re not fixing to dump that.’ You’ve got to live here,” Trejo said. “You’ve got to walk out your door and look at this. Come on now, let’s get it together people.” The city of Milwaukee has two dumping sites open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and also on Sundays from April through November. Residents can dump up to a carload for free. The amount that would fit in the bed of a pickup truck costs $20. Items that would fill a box truck can be dumped for $90. Up to five tires can be dropped off for free a day. Top HeadlinesICE agents make arrests inside Milwaukee County Courthouse complex; is that allowed?Cancer patient faces illegal tire dump in Milwaukee backyardMother, uncle charged after Milwaukee boy, 6, finds gun, diesWATCH Cincinnati kid goes viral for hilarious hot dog parody song at school talent show