Buffalo Church Faces Illegal Dumping on Chalmers Avenue

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Members of Elim Christian Fellowship Church come to the service to be edified, but a quick glance at the parking lot and surrounding streets raises concerns.

“I’m just shocked, really shocked because this is their church, this is our church, they have a lot of say in what’s going on here,” said Theodore Brinson, the church’s chief operating officer.

There are tire tracks all over the parking lot from the night drives that happen every few months. They filmed several cars in September 2023.

Then in April, someone driving a Kia crashed his car into their flowerbed.

And the most recurring problem is illegal waste dumped on Chalmers Avenue, leading to their church.

Taylor Epps

“From regular trash to furniture,” Brinson said. “When we notice things like this happening, it’s just not a good thing.”

They got some relief over the July 4 weekend when the city of Buffalo came to clean house.

Taylor Epps

To make things cleaner and easier, you can dispose of your trash for free at 793 S. Ogden Street.

“This facility is open to the public so they can safely come in and drop off any waste they want. Each resident can drop off one ton of waste, like large bulky waste,” said Buffalo Public Works Commissioner Nathan Marton.

Taylor Epps

If you don’t want to wait for bulky waste collection day, just show up, show proof of address and ID, then they weigh your car, you throw away your waste, weigh your car again and you’re on your way.

Illegal dumping of trash can result in a $1,500 fine. A spokesperson for the City of Buffalo told 7 News they are looking into the church’s other issues.