Local

Neighbors upset over illegal dumping along Rocky River Road

CONCORD, N.C. — Matt Cline said he saw someone dump an old television on the side of Rocky River Road last Monday. He tried to get the vehicle's license tag, but it left before he could.

"The first thing you see is a big pile of trash and then the entrance to our neighborhood," he told Channel 9.

In fact, according to Cline, in less than 24 hours, more trash had accumulated there, from discarded steps torn off a structure to old tires, stereo speakers and other items.

He said the trash sits at the entrance of a path down to the Rocky River and he worries someone might get hurt.

"If someone is going to use our neighborhood as their trash dump, they should be held responsible," Cline said.

The Concord Police Department said it wasn't aware of the issue, but told Channel 9 it would have a contractor clean it up.

Officials in Cabarrus County want to avoid illegal dumping like this. Officials are pouring more resources into educating Kannapolis and Concord residents about what to do with items they want to throw out.

"Recycling always changes. There are some things that you can recycle this year, that maybe you can’t recycle next year," said Kasia Thompson, with Cabarrus County.

A phone application called “Cartology” launched this month to help county and city residents keep up with their trash schedule. In addition, users can search items that aren't supposed to go in the trash, like TVs, and instructions will appear suggesting how you can safely discard of the item.

Residents can drop off items at the county's hazardous waste facility, which is located within 10 minutes of where the trash was left near Cline's neighborhood.

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