JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The News4JAX I-TEAM looked into getting answers after residents at a Northside apartment complex reported weeks of overflowing trash.
Residents at the Northlake Apartments, located off Dunn Avenue, contacted News4JAX over the weekend, stating that trash had been piling up near the dumpsters and raising concerns about health and safety.
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Residents News4JAX spoke with said the trash problem appeared to be getting worse, with dumpsters filled to the brim and trash spilling onto the ground.
One complaint described frustration overpaying for trash service that she says was not being properly provided.
“Can someone please ask the office why we pay for monthly trash services just for the company to throw all the trash at the compactor and no one picks it up?” the complaint read. “This trash has been piling up for about two weeks, and this can cause rodents and all types of pest issues. I feel like they are in violation of the lease agreement.”
By Monday morning, trash left on the ground had been cleaned up. Property management, said they were not entirely responsible for the issue.
Management said people from outside the apartment community have been illegally dumping trash into the complex’s dumpsters, contributing to the overflow. They also said the remaining trash was scheduled for pickup Monday.
MORE | Northside apartment residents forced to leave trash on ground after trash company removes dumpsters
In an email to News4JAX, Northlake Apartments said holiday disruptions also played a role.
“Thanks for reaching out. We take residents’ health and safety seriously,” the statement read. “Unfortunately, the holidays occasionally cause disruptions to scheduled services, including trash collection. As you can see in the photo below, the trash has been cleaned now that it is Monday morning and regular collection has resumed.”
Vaughn said she understands the timing may have played a role.
“It’s the holidays, and some people are busy, and people are with their families. They’re probably off,” she said.
It remains unclear what steps Northlake Apartments plans to take to prevent future illegal dumping. However, Florida apartment complexes can take measures such as installing locked dumpsters or fencing, using surveillance cameras, posting “No Dumping” signs and reporting illegal dumping to law enforcement.