Coronavirus Update NYC: Neighborhoods hit hardest by COVID now buried under garbage
Coronavirus update for NYC
CORONA, Queens (WABC) -- New York City has designated record-setting funding to improve the quality of life for residents that have been heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
After the crisis gripped the city in March 2020, an increasing number of people stayed home and city services were cut leading to trash piling on neighborhood streets.
Local officials who toured Corona, Queens Wednesday noted that garbage is everywhere it's not supposed to be, including items that require a scheduled pick up, like mattresses and old arcade games.
"Garbage is where the people are, so the more people you have, the less opportunity and outlets for it to go somewhere, the more you're going to have a litter backup," Sanitation Commissioner Edward Grayson said.
One of the most common problems is the misuse of public garbage cans, which are meant for pedestrian trash only, and anyone who places garbage from a home or business in them is subject to a $100 fine.
The new funding will provide more dedicated trucks to navigate narrow streets and service hours will increase to seven days per week.
Plus, 10 new enforcement cameras will help crackdown on illegal dumping.
Area residents just hope to fix the putrid odor, often beneath their feet...
"When it's a lot of food garbage and not the recycled garbage, it is immensely disgusting," East Elmhurst resident Larinda Hooks said.
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