Houston Woman Demands Answers After Landscaping Stones Removed

UPDATE: A Houston homeowner is urgently seeking answers after claiming that the city’s solid waste department removed her landscaping stones without explanation. Maria Trevino, a resident of Houston, contacted ABC13, expressing her frustration over the lack of response from the city’s 3-1-1 service.

On September 18, 2023, Trevino returned home to find the large stones she had strategically placed to protect her yard missing. “Where are the rocks? Where are the stones?” she exclaimed, recalling her shock upon discovering the empty space where the stones once stood.

Trevino had installed the stones about a year and a half ago to prevent cars from veering off the road into her yard, a problem she had faced for years. “Ever since I had put them in that design, I never had that problem again,” she said. Now, with the stones removed, she fears for her safety once more, especially as weekends approach—a time when she has historically seen cars encroach on her property.

CCTV footage from Trevino’s property shows the alarming timeline of events. At 10:03 a.m., a vehicle passes by, and the stones are visibly in place. A mere three minutes later, at 10:06 a.m., the footage reveals heavy machinery removing the stones. This incident coincided with scheduled yard waste pickup on September 16, leading Trevino to believe the city’s team may have mistakenly taken her stones during their collection.

“I would like for them to bring me some stones to put there to replenish the ones that were taken, and that way I can have some kind of protection,” Trevino stated, highlighting the emotional toll this has taken on her sense of security. Despite following up with 3-1-1 multiple times—on September 26 and again on October 23—Trevino has received only report numbers, with no further communication from the city.

While Trevino has not yet experienced any vehicles driving onto her property since the stones were removed, she remains anxious about the weekends, fearing that the problem may soon return. “Here comes the weekend, and I dread it every weekend that passes because it usually happens between Thursday and Monday,” she lamented.

In an effort to assist Trevino, Eyewitness News reached out to 3-1-1 for clarification and support. However, the city’s history indicates that claims such as Trevino’s often go unresolved; recent reports show that only 17% of claims were paid out between 2022 and 2024.

The situation highlights the urgent need for accountability and responsiveness from city departments regarding community concerns. As Trevino continues to seek resolution, her plight serves as a reminder of the importance of local government transparency and the impact of its actions on residents’ lives.

Stay updated on this developing story as Trevino’s quest for answers unfolds. For more news updates, follow Lileana Pearson on Facebook, X, and Instagram.