LOS ANGELES - In the first 100 days of Council District 15’s Clean 15, the program has picked up, removed and discarded 1,570 tons of trash, debris and overgrown vegetation on streets, alleys and public spaces throughout the District.
The Clean 15 program was funded in the current 2023-4 Fiscal Year Budget and initiated in mid-July. Made up of two Council District 15 staffers, the team is supported by local community groups including LA Conservation Corps./Clean and Green, Gang Alternatives Program, and SBCC Clean Wilmington.
"Having clean streets and sidewalks is critically important to our quality of life in the One-Five," said Councilmember Tim McOsker. "The over 1500 tons we’ve removed in 100 days is in addition to all the work that our city departments and community groups do. With this Clean 15 team we are able to be more agile in our response to illegal dumping and trash problems. I hope to continue this program for years to come because the difference it’s making is measurable and the work uplifts the wellbeing of each community in the One-Five."
In the past 100 days, the Clean 15 Team has picked up:
- 503 tons in Watts;
- 182 tons in Harbor Gateway;
- 77 tons in Harbor City;
- 694 tons in Wilmington;
- 114 tons in San Pedro.
"San Pedro residents demanded a reset of a clean streets standard, and Councilmember Tim McOsker listened. I couldn’t be more thrilled with the creation of the 'Clean 15' gorilla style, proactive street clean up team," said Mona Sutton, co-founder of Caring Proactive Residents in San Pedro. "A landmark idea from Councilmember McOsker was born from community outcry by Harbor Area residents for the city of Los Angeles to tackle trash cleanup on city sidewalks, gutters, illegal street dumping and unmaintained city properties. Hoping the Clean 15 pilot program will become the norm as a long term solution to achieving the clean streets all Harbor area residents have asked for and deserve."
The Clean 15's largest day of clean up was on September 14 when they picked up 94 tons in Wilmington at Pioneer, Opp, and Quay Streets.
"Tim McOsker has heard us and valued us as he continues to work with us in improving our community," said Irma Venegas, block captain of the Wilmington East Greenbelt Neighborhood Watch. "He has helped in cleaning up our community on the East side of Wilmington; people are noticing and we are very grateful."
"Positive changes have been happening throughout our neighborhoods with the addition of the Clean 15 team. The response times for requests have been cut in half and illegal dumping is generally removed within a day of reporting," said Dave Matthews, President of the Harbor Gateway North Chamber of Commerce. "It has enabled those of us in the Gateway to focus on other areas. We can see the difference in our streets!"
After a clean up, the team takes the debris to the sanitation yard to be weighed for tonnage and properly disposed. In addition to this work, McOsker is planning to examine legislative and enforcement fixes to combat illegal dumping in the communities hardest hit.
"Since Team 15 came into office we have seen an increased focus on cleaning the One-Five," said John Jones III, President and Co-Founder of Eastside Riders Bike Club in Watts. "The Clean 15 team is making a significant difference in Watts and it shows."
"The streets and alleys are now getting the attention that has been long overdue," said Lorrie Lathrop, President of the Harbor City Neighborhood Council. "Now that all this hard work has begun, we are able to drive our streets, have some pride and feel positive. When you live around clutter and mess it can affect one's thought process and attitude. Thank you One-Five for bringing some positive light to Harbor City."
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