As garbage continues to pile up on the train tracks behind their homes, neighbors on South 15th Place are urging the city and railroad company, Union Pacific, to address the illegal dumping.

Rats, cockroaches and piles of trash are frequent sights for some neighbors living near Pulaski Park on South 15th Place on Milwaukee’s south side. 

The alley behind their homes and the train tracks beside the alley have become an illegal dumping ground for unwanted furniture, car tires, shopping carts, gallons of motor oil and large bags of trash. 

Anna Zarnowski, who has been living on the street for 10 years, said this has been an issue since she moved in, but it’s ramped up in recent years.  

She said she filed more than 10 complaints through the City of Milwaukee’s Click4Action app and said she’s called the office of her local alderman, 12^th District Ald. Jose Perez, about the issue, on several occasions. 

“I love the south side. You want to see it succeed and be great, and at least just be comfortable and clean,” Zarnowski said.  

“It’s not too much to ask for.” 

Each time she calls or files a complaint, the garbage in the alley behind her home is removed. However, the train tracks are on private property owned by the railroad company, Union Pacific. 

“The city says it’s not their responsibility — then it just sits,” Zarnowski said. 

In several of Zarnowski’s complaints, she’s included photos of garbage piling up on the ground by the train tracks. Some of the garbage has been on the ground near the tracks for at least four years, she said. 

“It’s a concern. You don’t want to have vermin around,” Zarnowski said. 

Illegal dumping is impacting several neighbors

Christina Ornelas, 41, has owned a home on South 15th Place for 10 years.  

When she moved in, she noticed garbage piling up on the street and along the train tracks. 

“It’s like they clean, and then the next day there’s already a lot of garbage,” Ornelas said, in Spanish, adding that the waste on the train tracks remains even if the waste on the streets is removed, leading to pest issues. 

MILWAUKEE — The City of Milwaukee declared a snow emergency for Sunday and Monday night.

Overnight parking restrictions go into effect so that plows can clear the streets. All vehicles must be parked on the even-numbered side of the street by 10 p.m. on Nov. 30. Vehicles must be parked on the odd-numbered side by 10 p.m. on Dec. 1.

There is no parking allowed on either side of main streets or bus routes from 10 p.m to 6 a.m.

Some Milwaukee Public Schools have lots available for parking during snow emergencies from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Garbage and recycling pickup is suspended for Monday so that all Department of Public Works crews can focus on snow removal. Collection will resume on Tuesday with crews working extended shifts to catch up on delays.

Leaf collection was also paused during the snow removal. Nov. 30 was the last day for residents to rake leaves into the street, but it takes DPW crews two to three weeks after to complete the final collection.

Winter Parking begins Dec. 1

In addition to the snow emergency regulations, winter parking rules begin Monday.

Alternate side parking is required on certain residential streets at night between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. until March 1.

On even-numbered calander days, vehicles must be parked on the side of the street with even house numbers; on odd-numbered calendar days, a vehicle must be parked on the side of the street with odd house numbers.

A winter storm dumped up to a foot of snow in parts of Milwaukee County over the Thanksgiving weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Milwaukee.

The official snowfall total at Mitchell International Airport was eight inches as of Nov. 30, said Andrew Quigley, a meteorologist with the weather service.

“A lot of data is still pouring in this morning,” Quigley said on Nov. 30.

Areas east of the I-43/94 freeway that are closer to the lakeshore reported less snow, falling in the range of six to eight inches, he said.

Communities in the western part of Milwaukee County, such as West Allis, Greenfield and Wauwatosa, had reported snowfall totals between nine and 12 inches, he added.

The difference is the result of a still-relatively-warm Lake Michigan, which typically stays above freezing through December, Quigley said.

The winter storm warning expired at 6 a.m. Nov. 30.

A winter advisory remains in effect until 3 p.m. Nov. 30. The advisory notes wind gusts will cause snow to blow and drift, making for potentially hazardous driving conditions as people finish their Thanksgiving travels.

The holiday storm resulted in car crashes, flight cancellations and power outages in the Milwaukee area.

For live updates on road conditions and crashes in Wisconsin, check the 511 Wisconsin map.