(Kron) – Don’t destroy the city. That’s the message Oakland city officials are sending to people who dump waste illegally.
“I want us all to build an Oakland where our streets reflect the dignity, pride and resilience of this community,” Mayor Barbara Lee said. “We know that too many Oakland residents see trash on their streets and illegal dumpsters in their neighborhoods. We are working hard to address this problem. Let’s build a cleaner, safer, greener Oakland together.”
The Oakland Department of Public Works (OPW) is expanding weekend staffing for illegal waste cleanup crews, officials announced Friday. This change will provide greater coverage across more neighborhoods, as well as faster response times when residents report illegal littering.
Enhanced staffing is part of a broader set of city operations being developed to prevent, reduce and combat illegal dumping and blight.
The second phase of the mayor’s “Keep the City Clean Initiative” will begin this fall and bring “litter removal parties” to each of Oakland’s seven boroughs, city officials said.
Oakland Public Works’ Illegal Dumping Unit responded to more than 25,700 requests for service and removed more than 9,000 tons – 18 million pounds – of illegally dumped material from city streets in 12 months.
OPW has also helped facilitate thousands of community cleanup events.
“I want to thank the hardworking staff at our illegal dumping unit who are working overtime at a tough job cleaning our streets,” said Josh Rowan, interim director of Oakland Public Works.