Daniel Rodriguez, Chief Operations Officer, Harris County Precinct 4, speaks at an October 17 press conference at Bear Creek Pioneer Park. Harris County Precinct 4, in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Keep Houston Beautiful, and the Energy Corridor District, removed more than 400 illegally dumped tires from the Addicks Reservoir near the park that morning. The cleanup helps protect public health and removes illegally dumped waste from an important flood-control area, precinct officials said. Illegally dumped debris can interfere with drainage and removing the tires reduces the potential for them to contribute to blockage during heavy rain. Additionally, tires are a major breeding site for disease-carrying mosquitoes.