District 33 Council Member Lincoln Restler is launching a Community Cleanup Plan to address sanitation issues across the district. The plan has been created with input from 296 neighbors who shared their sanitation concerns through a survey administered by his office.
Across the district, residents’ top concerns were dirty streets and sidewalks (29.2%), rats (16.8%), overflowing litter baskets (15.2%), and litter in public spaces (11.5%). Survey responses and comments also spoke to a frustration with missing litter baskets where they were needed, garbage bags blocking and dirtying pedestrian corridors, and illegal dumping. Respondents also requested more recycling opportunities in public spaces, the expansion of composting, and the containerization of trash. Both the responses to the sanitation survey and a review of thousands of in-district 311 complaints from 2021 demonstrate the need for a renewed focus on improving the cleanliness of Brooklyn’s sidewalks and public spaces, including neighborhood parks.
After reviewing the survey findings with the Department of Sanitation (DSNY), his office is now implementing the following steps:
- Address Rat Conditions through Composting for All: sign up for curbside composting!
- Installing Two Dozen New Litter Baskets
- Organize Community Clean Ups. Sign up for a clean up in your neighborhood!
- Advocate for Restoration of Department of Sanitation’s Funding and Services in this budget
- Ensure Alternate Side Parking Compliance
- Pursue Containerization Program
- Combat Illegal Disposal of Waste
- Organize New Business Improvement Districts to Provide Supplemental Street Cleaning
Find out more here.
