MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Some Memphians in Parkway Village are concerned over the constant dumping of massive piles of tires.
It's become a common sight here in Bluff City, especially with many tire shops not accepting used tires to avoid state-imposed fees and the costs to customers.
"My main goal is to see Memphis beautiful again," Patricia Rogers, who has lived in the Parkway Village area since the 80's, said.
Her goal has been met with seemingly never-ending obstacles as piles of garbage dumped illegally continue to be disposed of in Parkway Village.
A few weeks ago, we reported on the dumping of tires in areas on Knight Arnold Rd.
"I’ve lived in this area since 1987 - Parkway Village, on the edge of Fox Meadows. About two weeks ago, I was driving down Knight Arnold, and I noticed a massive pile-up of tires," Rogers said.
Once again, hundreds of tires, along with old mattresses, and couches remain spread out over the vacant lot.
She said it's diminishing her neighborhood and raising questions about who is responsible.
“I’m really concerned about whether or not tire companies are doing this," Rogers said. "An ordinary citizen is not going to be able to dump all of these tires. This is coming from an operation.”
Rogers said it’s time for more forceful accountability, and she said she remains confident fresh city leadership will freshen up her neighborhood.
“I actually had a conversation with Mayor Paul Young the other day," Rogers said. "He is aware of the problem. He inherited this problem. I would love to see the city of Memphis really crack down on the people who are actually responsible for the illegal dumping. I would like for them to get the tire registry enforced.”
City leaders said this location is believed to be private property and code enforcement is currently investigating this location. Once contact is made with the owner, it’s their responsibility, or they will be sent to environmental court, they said.
The proper and legal way to dispose of a tire is through the tire shop that removes that old tire - which usually incurs an additional fee - or through the city’s waste tire program. For more information, call 311.