Messing with Houston/Texas? (Katy, Shepherd: live, airport, homeless)

[irishlover]

It seems like the "Don't mess with Texas" mantra of the 80s-90s has lost its luster. It seems like there is litter EVERywhere...today we were driving back from Hobby airport to the west side and there was trash everywhere on the median/grassy areas of I-45...so much so in some areas that it seemed there was more trash than grass. Even in the "nicest" parts of town near the Galleria and north toward the Woodlands you still see litter everywhere...and that area under 59/Hilcroft where the "day laborers" stand is absolutely disgusting...plastic bags and god knows what else accumulated a foot or so deep in some places along the chain link fence.

Why can't the city/county/state, TxDot or whomever make something happen to lessen the accumulation and duration of trash on the roadsides? Put inmates in local jails on a constant rotation picking up trash EVERY week not just once or twice a year as it seems now.

I know this issue isn't just a Houston problem, you see roadside litter and trash nearly everywhere but I live here now and just have to wonder why local government can't (or won't) do more to control it? Does TxDot only "clean" the roadside when the cut the grass a few times a year? Can volunteer groups really make an impact in a city as big as Houston withOUT a concerted effort by local government?

Heading out to walk the dog now...probably will fill up my HEB plastic bag with trash as I do every night...

[sbhubbell]

I don't notice it much around Katy, but props to you for doing what you can each night!

[Thaskateguy]

this is exactly what I have been saying the City should be paying the homeless to pick up. Pay them by the pound. (Just check for rocks and bricks) Convicts might be better. Let them have good time off, for doing a good job over a particular stretch of road. --I hate it when some jerk, pours out his overflowing ashtray at an intersection. I feel like throwin it back in his BMW.

[EasilyAmused]

Don't notice any in my area. Memorial is pretty spotless.

[Thaskateguy]

Look along the curbs at Shepherd and Memorial. Like one big ash tray. Bikers and Skaters see that trash up close and personal. That is the area of the road we are "supposed" to use. --Oh, and what's the deal with street cleaning trucks, doing thirty down the road?? That does not clean anything. Then what they do hit some trash or nails, they just push them over into the "Bike Lane" Smart that is.