Chester launches block captain program, schedules summer and citywide cleanups

Organizers of Chester’s new block captain program inducted residents as block captains at a community meeting and outlined responsibilities, upcoming cleanup dates and how volunteers can request city support.

At the meeting, Haley, a member of the Block Captain Program committee, said the program “is not city council members, we are not government officials, we are not a neighborhood watch program,” and emphasized that the role is grassroots and focused on neighborhood-level action. The committee also said it will distribute certificates to inductees and supply kits obtained through Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful affiliate grants.

The program’s summer cleanup series is scheduled for the last Saturday of each month through the end of the season, with specific upcoming dates named at the meeting: the July cleanup on July 26, an August cleanup on Aug. 23 (moved to avoid Labor Day weekend) and a citywide cleanup planned for the last Saturday in September. The committee asked block captains to attend cleanups, help staff event tables when possible and to publicize events using flyers the city has approved for posting.

Organizers described current supplies and funding. The committee said most cleanup supplies so far have come from a Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful affiliate grant and that the affiliate’s quarterly grants are modest (the committee noted they typically receive $500 per quarter and that those funds are being used for supplies). “We filled an entire dumpster” at a recent cleanup, Haley said, describing the volume of furniture and bulk trash removed during the program’s soft launches.

Staff and volunteers discussed logistics and permissions for certain sites. Participants were told that Deshong Park (referred to in the meeting as Deshaun/Deshong Park) is currently being managed through a county request-for-proposals process and that permission from the county would be required for coordinated work there. Committee members said the county has contracted summer mowing and oversight for that site and that the city will help connect volunteers with the county on requests.

Organizers asked block captains to help extend communication between residents and city departments, to attend upcoming city council meetings when the program is on the agenda, and to share neighborhood concerns at monthly block captain meetings (held on the third Thursday at 6 p.m., with the July meeting set for July 17). The committee said it will set up a group chat for block captains, provide event flyers for distribution on blocks, and offer starter supply kits from Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful when available.

Several residents described personal motivations for joining: one longtime resident recalled Chester’s busier downtown decades ago and urged sustained local effort; another said they were drawn to the program after seeing a social media notice and wanting to restore neighborhood pride. Volunteers discussed ancillary projects such as anti-graffiti efforts and mural connections; the committee said it has begun connecting residents with local artists and vendors but that larger projects will require additional funding and coordination.

On funding and partnerships, the committee said it has received limited state grant money to start the program and will pursue additional grants and corporate or nonprofit partners. Committee members asked volunteers to send potential grant leads or donor contacts so the committee can track opportunities and prepare applications earlier next season.

Before adjourning, organizers invited all inductees to a group photo and reminded attendees of the next cleanups and meeting dates. They also asked block captains who do not wish to remain in the program to notify the committee so roles can be reassigned.