City Councilman Chaim Deutsch (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach Midwood) announced yesterday that all commercial corridors in the 48th Council District will begin receiving increased trash collections, totaling seven days a week.
The announcement follows Deutsch successfully fighting to bring these major quality of life upgrades to his Southern Brooklyn district.
When corner wastebaskets overflow, it leads to rat infestations, filthy streets, and, particularly during the summer heat, a bad odor that lingers in the area. Having trash collection every day will ensure that host communities are not forced to endure these issues impacting their neighborhood, Deutsch said.
These increased basket collections will include Avenue M, Kings Highway, Avenue U, Sheepshead Bay Road, and Brighton Beach Avenue, and are expected to begin over the next several weeks. Neptune Avenue will also receive additional corner wastebasket collections. This enhanced collection schedule is slated to begin in the next several weeks.
Deutsch has also added funding to pay for manual litter patrols, wherein the DSNY will collect dumped trash and litter from under train trestles and in select areas with heavy foot traffic, such as the pedestrian islands on Emmons Avenue and Kings Highway, and East 15th Street at Sheepshead Bay Road.
“This is a major victory for our district,” said Deutsch, a member of the Sanitation Committee and the Budget Negotiation Team. “No New York City community should be scattered with litter and garbage all over the streets. The City holds residents responsible for a wrapper or coffee cup on the sidewalk in front of their home, and they should be held to the same standard of cleanliness on public sidewalks. I thank Mayor Bill de Blasio, NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson, Commissioner Kathryn Garcia, and Sanitation Committee Chairman Antonio Reynoso for their partnership in bringing these significant upgrades into our district.”
Deutsch has long been a proponent of enhancing Sanitation services to his district. In prior fiscal years, he allocated funds to purchase new mechanical equipment for local Sanitation garages, including street sweepers and salt spreaders. He also employs summer interns to identify and tackle ‘problem areas’ that see a heavy amount of litter, such as outside train stations and around parks and playgrounds.
The announcement also drew cheers from a number of local union, civic and businesses leaders.
“Kudos to Councilman Deutsch and Speaker Johnson for fighting to increase funding to the Sanitation Department. These men and women work incredibly hard, and it is vital that they receive the tools and resources that they need to get the job done and keep New York City streets clean. Increased litter basket collections in business districts and manual litter patrols in Councilman Deutsch’s district is a benefit to residents, business owners, and visitors of those communities, and these new services will improve everybody’s quality of life,” said Harry Nespoli, President of the Teamsters Local 831.
“Overflowing trash is one of the most serious issues that our Community Board faces on a daily basis, and these increased collections will resolve these problems practically overnight,” said Theresa Scavo, Chair of Community Board 15. “Small business owners, pedestrians, and local residents will all reap the benefits of additional trash collection. Kudos to Councilman Deutsch for this victory!”
“Thank you Councilman Deutsch for fighting to fund these major improvements to our commercial districts,” said Joann Weiss, Chair of Community Board 13. “Clean streets equal safe streets, and this community is grateful for the Councilman’s unending advocacy and leadership.”
“This is welcome news for hundreds of business owners on Brighton Beach Avenue and in other business districts,” said Yelena Makhnin, Executive Director of the Brighton Beach Business Improvement District. “Councilman Deutsch and Speaker Johnson are true fighters for our community, and we are grateful for their advocacy.”
“Councilman Deutsch’s allocation of additional Sanitation money comes as no surprise. He is dedicated to bettering every aspect of community life. These additional services will continue to keep the polish on the Kings Highway apple. On behalf of the Board, the 230 merchants and 140 owners of the Kings Highway BID I would like to say a big thanks to our community’s Councilman and friend Chaim Deutsch!” said Phil Nuzzo, Director of the Kings Highway Business Improvement District.
“We are honored to work with Councilman Deutsch to keep the community clean and litter-free. This is great news for Avenue M and Southern Brooklyn, and we look forward to a continued collaboration with the Councilman to keep our streets clean,” said Barry Polinsky, Director for Community Projects at the Midwood Development Corporation.
