Orange County school district sues local dump near elementary school for unsafe practices

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- An Orange County school district is suing a dump near an elementary school campus, claiming the facility is creating a dangerous environment for students and teachers.

The public dump is located across the street from Oak View Elementary School in Huntington Beach. John Briscoe, a member of the board of trustees for the Ocean View School District, said the trash is dumped and sorted out in the open.

"They take the whole stinking dump truck and tip it upside down and then they go through it and pick out the metal and the plastic," he said.

Seagulls end up flying over the campus to get to items at the dump. In recent photos of the school, bird droppings cover the concrete and fish and chicken bones litter the campus.

Briscoe said the dump also breaks down large piles of concreate out in the open, which sends dust into the air.

Public records shows the facility has received four violation notices from the South Coast Air Quality Management District. One of those notices was given just last month for the odor being a nuisance.

The district is suing the dump's operators and demands something be done to keep the students safe and healthy.

"We want to see them build buildings to enclose their stinking trash hauling and stinking trash handling," Briscoe said.

A spokesperson for Rainbow Environmental Services said it is company policy not to comment on pending litigation.

A trial date is set for October.