Officials Decry Overflowing Trash Cans Blighting Midwood

Overflowing trash cans along Kings Highway, Avenue M and Avenue J are the straw — or aluminum can, Styrofoam cup, or storm-twisted umbrella — that breaks the camel’s back.

Flanked by community leaders and local residents, Councilman David G. Greenfield demanded at a Tuesday morning press conference that the sanitation department provide more frequent pickups along major commercial strips, more frequent emptying of street corner litter baskets, and stricter enforcement of laws governing disposal of residential trash there.

“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,” Greenfield said. “This is a thriving community just like any other in New York City except for one difference — our commercial streets are disgustingly dirty.”

Also attending the press conference at Ave. J were Midwood Development Corp. Executive Director Linda Goodman, Shawn Campbell, district manager of Community Board 14, representatives from nearby businesses and local residents.

“I’ve lived in Midwood for 50 years and never saw quite the mess as when I walk down Avenue J,” said resident Marilyn Leiman. “We have lots of tourists who come here and I’m so ashamed they see this.”

“One of the biggest complaints I hear from residents is the amount of trash along our streets and sidewalks, especially Avenue J,” said State Sen. Simcha Felder, a Democrat representing the area. “Our community deserves better.”

This article appeared in print on page 14 of the August 14th, 2013 edition of Hamodia.