Media Release
Contact FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kevin C. Rabago, Sr.
(856) 451-3407
CITY LAUNCHES
ANTI-LITTER EFFORTS FOR A CLEANER BRIDGETON COMMUNITY
As spring temps give way to summer warm, it means more
time outdoors, but it also means more litter on sidewalks, streets, curbs and
yards. Yet with some team work and an assist from residents, Bridgeton Mayor
Albert Kelly likes Bridgeton’s chances in the never-ending battle against
litter.
In 2017, that battle comes in the form of Bridgeton’s
anti-litter campaign which will roll out officially in mid-May with a focus on
the summer season when people spend a lot more time outdoors.
“We have a beautiful community, but that can easily get
missed if the first thing we see is litter on the sidewalks and in the street. It’s
the same with public spaces, alleys and City Park. If we can be consistent with
cleaning things up, it will make a big difference in our community” said Kelly.
The anti-litter strategy includes recruiting litter
marshals to be eyes and ears for officials, distribution of literature and
efforts to raise awareness, and camera’s to catch illegal dumping.
The season will also see stepped up enforcement,
community clean-up days, and some creative trash receptacles with basketball
backboards inviting visitors to the park to dunk their junk.
According to Kelly, the anti-litter campaign can be
summed up in three words: encouragement, education, and enforcement.
“By speaking with students and handing out literature, we
hope to educate people on why a clean community matters. The new receptacles
are a fun way to encourage people to put trash where it belongs, and the
enforcement comes when efforts fail” Kelly said.
In addition to these efforts, City officials are
reviewing ordinances and procedures to see if any parts of the code are
actually working against a cleaner community.
“Sometimes in an effort to control things, it ends up
being harder for people to follow the rules and that’s when you have unintended
consequences. Sometimes it’s necessary to revisit things and see if we can’t
simplify” said Kelly.
One thing the City needs is a few volunteers to serve as
litter marshals, who would be extra sets of eyes to report any illegal dumping
or littering they see as they go about their business in the community. If they
spot anything, litter marshals would report it to City officials who would
follow-up on the report.
“With litter marshals, we don’t expect them to do
enforcement or confront anyone, but to help us by writing down a license plate
number of a vehicle dumping illegally or throwing trash on the roadside- this would
really help our efforts to keep the great City of Bridgeton cleaner” Kelly
said.
Anyone interested in volunteering in future community
clean-up events or serving as litter marshals, can get additional information
by calling the Department of Public Works at (856) 455 3230 Ext 240
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learn more about the City of Bridgeton, please visit www.cityofbridgeton.com
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