Chester launches volunteer Block Captain program to coordinate neighborhood cleanups

A volunteer-run Block Captain program aimed at coordinating neighborhood cleanups and improving communication between residents and city hall was presented at a public meeting in Chester, with city officials and community members outlining near-term events, volunteer expectations and next steps.

The presentation described monthly cleanups starting with a kickoff at Sun Village Park next Saturday and an Earth Day event on April 26. Organizers said the committee will support volunteers with supplies and logistics and act as a liaison to route code-enforcement or dumping complaints to city staff.

"We are excited to build a stronger, more connected community together," said Dakeem Williams, a member of the Block Captain Committee and an educator who said he was born and raised on Chester's West Side. Haley Jarena, program director for Maturity Works, said the effort also intends to link residents to existing local resources.

Justin Tibbles, special assistant to the mayor, said the program was created by the city council and is intended to "organize you guys as block captains, empower and equip you with what you need to be successful" as part of a broader push to reduce litter and illegal dumping. Councilman Shaiquan Harris Davis asked how coverage of the city would be divided; presenters said responsibilities will depend on volunteers' availability and capacity rather than a fixed radius.

Organizers described how they will recruit and communicate: weekly committee meetings, monthly block-captain meetings timed about a week before events, flyers, social media posts and partnerships with Keep Delco Beautiful and the statewide Keep PA Beautiful network. Applications were available at the meeting and organizers said there is no deadline; they encouraged volunteers to share flyers and to nominate alternates if they cannot attend events.

A few residents asked about enforcement and help for property concerns. Presenters and city staff said the Block Captain program will not enforce city codes or act as a neighborhood watch but will help residents report problems and escalate issues to the appropriate city offices. "If there's an issue that's happening in your neighborhood that a lot of residents are concerned about ... you could sort of represent them a little bit better and pass that on to the city," Tibbles said.

A resident, Paul Lally, who identified himself as a lawyer and longtime native of Chester, offered a vacant lot on Twentieth and Edgemont for community events: "You can use my land on Twentieth And Edgemont for whatever you wish to do," he said.

City officials also discussed broader operational matters tied to litter and trash collection. Mayor Roots outlined plans to reissue the trash-hauler contract after the current agreement with Mascaro ends later this year and said the city has engaged an outside expert to help craft the request for proposals. The mayor noted the current annual rubbish fee is $350 per household and signaled the city is seeking better service and value. "Better times are coming," he said.

Council staff said the city council has approved development of a reporting app to let residents submit requests for issues such as yard blight, potholes and dumping; staff estimated the app could launch by the end of the summer and allow residents to track tickets once submitted.

Organizers said they plan to pilot monthly community cleanups through the warm months, provide supplies through small grants and partner with local nonprofits and schools to involve youth, including a proposed junior block-captain track for high-school-age volunteers. The committee asked residents to indicate shirt sizes on applications; organizers said they are developing visible, official apparel for volunteers.

The meeting closed with organizers asking residents to sign applications or contact the committee through listed social media and email, and with the mayor and council members praising the community response and urging residents to share information with neighbors.

The program as described is primarily organizational and advisory; presenters repeatedly emphasized that block captains do not make policy and will not perform code enforcement. Major next steps cited at the meeting: recruit volunteers, run the Sun Village Park kickoff, hold an Earth Day cleanup on April 26, finalize volunteer branding and continue development of the city reporting app.