Mayor Adams pledged additional $14.5M to clean up NYC streets and parks
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- Mayor Eric Adams launches what he calls the "get stuff clean" initiative in New York City.
The mayor pledged an additional $14.5 million for a multi-agency trash pickup at a conference in Borough Park on Thursday.
"We step over garbage, we sit next to garbage, we see garbage on our streets," Adams said. " Instead of saying why doesn't one of these agencies do something-- these are our blocks, these are our neighborhoods-- so we need clean up participation from neighbors."
He says his last investment in July is already showing results.
The new funding will help the Department of Sanitation hire 200 new workers, increase litter basket service, expand enforcement against illegal dumping, and bring on more rat exterminators.
"We all must be engaged in cleaning up our city," Adams said.
The funding will also go towards the cleaning of 1,000 so-called 'no-man's land' neglected areas around the city.
Streets, parks, on and off ramps, and underpasses-- all across the five boroughs.
"To be clear, this is not a pandemic problem, it isn't even a 21st-century problem, its been a crisis in the making for 40 years," Department of Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.
Another problem that adds to the collective trash issue is illegal dumping.
As part of the expanded initiative, the city will install 200 new cameras to help with enforcement.
Another piece of the "rotten apple" cleanup is addressing the encroaching rat population.
City officials say rodent complaints have increased by 70% from last year.
"They come out and greet you day and night," Harlem resident Shemei Robinson said. "Have no fears, hanging on the gate, waving at you. It's ridiculous."
The mayor said the city will deplay more of the traditional black boxes rat traps around the city in an effort to eliminate the growing population.
Adams says the goal is to make New York City-- one of the most densely populated cities in the world-- the cleanest.
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