HOUSTON — There are growing concerns about human waste littering the walking paths at Allen's Landing in downtown Houston.
People who live nearby said efforts to keep it clean are falling short and believe a nearby homeless encampment is the source of the mess.
One man said it's a balancing act between understanding the unhoused population has limited access to restroom facilities and the fact that the people who live, work and play in the area often have a mess to get around.
There's not a clear solution.
Downtown Houston has so much to offer, that's why Dominic Garcia moved there. But around the corner from his home, near Main and Commerce, is a homeless encampment that has some frustrated with suspected human fecal matter littering the trails and smearing the walls.
"I think Houston is doing a good job cleaning and the maintenance. I just think they can't keep up," he said.
Garcia has been living there for a year and doesn't know what to do. He's recently been trying to document it all hoping it'll lead to change while also understanding options are limited for the people living on the street.
"It seems like there's nowhere for people to go. Perhaps they haven't been provided a place to go so, they are just using the streets and the public places," Garcia said.
Alvin Gaston lives under a shade tree most days because it's comfortable and he feels safe.
"I was once over there, but it's too many people over there. And it's crowded. And they get into all kinds of bad attitudes over there," Gaston said.
He's been there for about four months and his spot isn't too far from the nearby larger encampment. He said he tries to make the one-mile walk to the public library to use the restroom or uses a bag when he's desperate.
He said there are portable toilets available sometimes.
"They're not over there this week, but they do bring them by," Gaston said.
He said it would be great to see a more permanent public restroom facility nearby.
While cleanup crews clear the waste from sidewalks monthly. much like Garcia, he agrees that's not enough.
"I believe everybody here is kindhearted and they care about these people, but at the same time, it's a balance between the human waste and the trash and the violence," Garcia said.
KHOU 11 reached out to the District I city councilor's office to ask about the possibility of additional resources and is waiting for a response.