Residents tell Mason County health board illegal dumping, fires and suspected drug activity make Delight Park area unsafe

Several residents of the Delight Park/Old Bell Road area urged the Mason County Board of Health on public comment to intervene after years of what they described as unaddressed illegal dumping, vehicle wrecking yards, open burning and suspected drug activity. Residents said they no longer feel safe in their yards or using the neighborhood boat ramp and that smoke and odors from repeated nighttime burns are making them ill. "We can barely even go outside and feel safe," said Greg Murphy, who identified himself as a property owner on Delight Park Road. Murphy told the board neighbors report illegal shooting, a recent seizure of illegal guns and around-the-clock traffic to specific lots. Property owner Dixie Smith said she has spent "almost $30,000 in clean up, demolishing things" and still faces squatters in a motorhome she cannot get removed. "I've got a ticket right now for $500 for fires going there," she said, and described repeated electrical theft and high utility bills. Other neighbors described heavy vehicle traffic that blocks a narrow easement on West Old Bell Road, deliveries that drivers refuse to make because of safety concerns, and dogs running loose at night. "It's an environmental hazard," said Susan Nelson. Board members and staff at the meeting explained the limits and paths for enforcement: criminal or immediate-hazard issues should be reported to law enforcement, the sheriff's civil division can carry out evictions, and air-quality complaints can be filed with the regional clean air authority (Orca). Dean Lynn, Mason County Public Health director, explained the board's authority originates through the state board of health and emphasized that some complaints span multiple agencies. The board asked residents to log dates, times and vehicle descriptions, and encouraged continued calls for service so patterns are documented. A county representative said the sheriff had recently stood up a four-officer strategic enforcement team to conduct proactive policing in repeat problem areas. Residents and board members discussed a community-led plan, saying they will assemble a comprehensive code-enforcement complaint and related evidence for staff and the sheriff to review and pursue. No formal policy change or vote occurred at the meeting; public comment closed with the board encouraging continued calls for service and a cooperative compilation of records and complaints to be shared with county enforcement offices.