Who’s dumped a mountain of tires near Columbia Park? What we learned

Residents of a Tri-Cities RV park became increasingly concerned recently when a pile of tires in an empty neighboring lot continued to grow. Then a smashed car was abandoned on the street next to it.

Despite being obscured by a line of trees, the pile has grown so large it’s visible to bikers and joggers on the Sacajawea Heritage Trail just east of the blue bridge.

Now, a mountain of hundreds of tires stretches across the lot.

And it’s been made worse by people using the tires as cover for drug use and makeshift campsites.

Photos show the area littered with trash, debris and drug paraphernalia. Neighbors told the Herald they’re worried it’s encouraging crime and could be a fire risk.

In one photo a dismantled campfire lighter sits on a discarded box of Naloxone, or Narcan, at the base of a pile of garbage and tires. Photos taken inside the abandoned car show people may also be using it for shelter.

The property at the corner of West Metaline Avenue and North Jean Street is not associated with any of the nearby businesses.

The owner, Bob Gabriel, told the Tri-City Herald that he used to live there, but the house burned down in the early 2000s.

Gabriel told the Herald that at one time he worked nearby and opened his own automotive and towing business. He moved the business a few years back and occasionally used the lot to stage cars or tires to be taken for recycling that he didn’t have room for at his new shop.

He said he has been dealing with health issues recently and was shocked to find other people have begun dumping old tires there.

He’s now working with code enforcement to clean up the hazardous eyesore.

But that’s been a slow process that’s been exacerbated by other people piling on their trash.

Neighbors also worry a buildup of stagnant water in the tires could encourage mosquito breeding and create a health risk. It also could pose a possible environmental risk since it’s just yards from the Columbia River.

There are no buildings on the lot, but the concrete foundation of the home is still there.

Property assessment photos and Google street view images show that between at least 2019 and 2021 the lot had a number of 18-wheeler trailers and vehicles parked on it, presumably overflow from Gabriel’s shop.

It’s unclear when the dumping began.

Kennewick Police Commander Isaac Merkl said code enforcement officials were at the property last week.

The first fine to Gabriel was $500, and the property will be reinspected to ensure the debris is removed. If it isn’t, the fine doubles. If he doesn’t clean up the property, the city will eventually escalate to taking legal action, including placing a lien on the property.

Gabriel said he’s assured the city it will be cleared, but he’s unsure how he’s going to be able to afford to pay the fine.

The abandoned car also been tagged for removal and impounded if the owner doesn’t take it away.

What to do about illegal dumping

Illegal dumping often takes place in areas where the property owner isn’t on site regularly. Once it starts, the debris begins to accumulate and can lead to fires and other hazards.

In Kennewick, the city has had issues with rundown RVs being abandoned in areas near disused railroad tracks. In the past, the city worked with nearby property owners to remove the RVs after one caught fire.

In another instance, a property owner was in the process of applying for building permits at the corner of Ely Street/Highway 395 and 7th Avenue when people began dumping abandoned cars, camper shells and trash in that lot.

In unincorporated Benton County, a series of dog attacks led to numerous drug arrests after code enforcement officers repeatedly fined a property owner near Prosser for allowing people to live in run-down RVs. The owner also was sued by a mother and son who were seriously injured by dogs from the property.

The family had previously settled with Benton County for $1.6 million after years of code enforcement calls, inspections and fines weren’t enough to solve the problem. The family also recently won a personal injury lawsuit against the property owner.

Reporting a code enforcement issue can vary by city and in unincorporated areas of the counties. Typically a code enforcement officer will try to contact the owner and make a report. If the issue isn’t addressed, it then escalates to fines and eventually legal action.

Typically code enforcement issues cover illegal dumping, nuisance grass and weeds, junk vehicles, improperly parked RVs and boats and appliances, furniture and debris in the yard.

Kennewick has a self-service portal that allows users to identify a problem area on a map of the city, and then upload photos and other information. Reports can be made anonymously.

Pasco allows reporting through the city’s app, online or by phone. In Richland, residents can make a report on the city’s website or by phone.

This story was originally published July 21, 2025 at 12:12 PM.

Cory McCoy

Tri-City Herald

Cory is an award-winning investigative reporter. He joined the Tri-City Herald in Dec. 2021 as an Editor/Reporter covering social accountability issues. His past work can be found in the Tyler Morning Telegraph and other Texas newspapers. He was a 2019-20 Education Writers Association Fellow, and has been featured on The Murder Tapes, Grave Mysteries and Crime Watch Daily with Chris Hansen.