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Commissioners and residents seek year‑round alley cleaning and stronger enforcement to curb rats and illegal dumping
Summary
Testimony from multiple ANCs and residents described persistent illegal dumping, seasonal suspension of alley cleaning (Oct 1–Mar 31), missing litter cans, and recurring rodent problems; commissioners requested DPW follow procedures under the Containing Litter/Clean Collections Act and proactive sweep inspection strategies.
Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners and residents described long‑standing alley and illegal‑dumping problems—compounded by the recent storm and a pause in alley cleaning during winter months. Commissioner Abel Amene noted DPW suspends alley cleaning from Oct. 1 through March 31, leaving loose litter and rodent food exposed for months.
Catherine Swanson Palmer and others said removal of public litter cans last year worsened illegal dumping in some blocks; Swanson Palmer reported a constituent with 23 missed trash collections and asked the committee to ensure DPW complies with the Containing Litter and Clean Collections Act provisions for installing litter containers. Witnesses urged more proactive inspections of multifamily properties, better 311 capability for winter alley requests, and deployment of a smart‑suite alley cleanup pilot to high‑need neighborhoods.
