Councilman David G. Greenfield was joined along Avenue J in Midwood this morning by community leaders and local residents to demand that the New York City Sanitation Department provide the area with better resources and service, including additional pickups along major commercial strips and more frequent emptying of street corner litter baskets to prevent them from overflowing. These requests come in response to dozens of complaints from residents and business owners over the past few months about the ongoing and worsening issues with trash-filled streets and sidewalks which severely impact the quality of life and hurts businesses along Avenues J and M and Kings Highway in Midwood.

“The response we have gotten is that the city does not have the resources to clean these baskets on a regular basis and quite frankly that is unacceptable. The city seems to have the resources to keep Manhattan neighborhoods clean, so why not our Brooklyn neighborhoods? This is a thriving community just like any other in New York City except for one difference – our commercial streets are disgustingly dirty. We need the Sanitation Department to do their fair share for our community,” said Councilman Greenfield.

Also attending today’s press conference on Avenue J between 15th Street and 16th Street was Linda Goodman, executive director of the Midwood Development Corp, Shawn Campbell, district manager of Community Board 14, representatives from nearby businesses and local residents who want cleaner conditions in their neighborhood. In addition, Councilman Greenfield shared input his office recently received from several residents about the amount of trash along Avenue J and other important shopping areas in Midwood, Bensonhurst and Boro Park.

The residents on hand today included Marilyn Leiman, who contacted Councilman Greenfield recently after seeing the difference between Midwood and other southern Brooklyn neighborhoods. “I’ve lived in Midwood for 50 years and never saw quite the mess as when I walk down Avenue J,” she said. “We have lots of tourists who come here and I’m so ashamed they see this. I am glad that Councilman Greenfield is working on this for us.”

“One of the biggest complaints I hear from residents is the amount of trash and filth along our streets and sidewalks, especially Avenue J. Our community deserves better. I will continue to work with Councilman Greenfield until we reach a solution to this important issue, which is greatly impacting the local quality of life,” said State Senator Simcha Felder.
“Midwood Development Corp supports Councilman Greenfield’s call for additional trash pickups along Community Board 14’s Avenue M, Avenue J and Coney Island Avenue. In addition, we urge all residents to remember that the trash cans are not for residential garbage. Midwood is a marvelous community, and should be as clean as other parts of the city,” said Linda Goodman.

During the press conference, Councilman Greenfield discussed possible solutions including more frequent collection of corner litter baskets and greater enforcement to reduce illegal dumping of household trash, which causes the baskets to quickly fill up. He noted that the Sanitation Department does a good job collecting residential garbage but has not met the community’s needs regarding the collection of commercial trash.

“There is no reason why our community is treated differently, and the situation has gone from bad to worse. The conditions are making it a very unwelcoming place to live, and that’s quite frankly unfair. When you get out of your car on your way to a great restaurant and you see mounds of trash and rats, you don’t want to go there anymore, so we’re losing business. It’s hurting the community and is disgusting to walk down,” added Councilman Greenfield.

YWN PHOTO LINK: Click HERE for photos by Hillel Engel.

(YWN Desk – NYC)