Trash Talk: Illegal dumping in parts of the desert causes public safety hazards

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) - Trash, many telling us it’s a problem for residents in Thousand Palms. 

From people’s trash to construction waste, it’s a problem that’s piling up.    

Code enforcement has been working for years to clean up illegal dumping and homeless encampments at a 93-acre lot at the corner of Monterey and Varner. But business owners say it’s all showing up again – this is just one of many lots in Thousand Palms facing this issue.

Since 2010, code enforcement has opened 30 cases on the property at Monterey and Varner. The worst of them in 2022, when it took them two years to clear 18 homeless encampments. It’s come a long way since then but locals fear what new trash could mean for the future.

News Channel 3's Athena Jreij goes in-depth on the issue in her special report, Trash Talk.