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(courtesy photo)

City Councilman Curren Price, in partnership with LA Sanitation and Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD), announced today a $1 million investment to cleanup South LA streets. The local initiative is part of the Councilmember’s “Clean & Green” campaign—a multifaceted, 360-degree approach to combat the trash problem plaguing the District 9 community.

During a “Clean & Green” kick-off event at Maple Primary Center, the Councilmember said he allocated $300,000 in funding toward increased LA Sanitation services specifically targeting the Ninth District, and an additional $370,000 for the local nonprofit CRCD to provide supplemental bulky item pick-up of discarded mattresses, used furniture and other debris littering neighborhood streets.

An additional $400,000 was designated for hundreds of trash cans to be placed throughout the District, including solar-powered trash compactors and automated litter bins. Before Councilman Price was elected to office in 2013, the city had approximately 15 city-operated trash cans in District 9.

“We’ve put together a comprehensive plan that will help remove trash from our streets, alleys and sidewalks and make CD 9 more beautiful and livable,” Price said. “I am confident we can win the war on trash. However, it won’t happen overnight, and it calls for an all-hands on deck approach, including the Council Office, residents and businesses. If we are to clear our neighborhoods of mounds of trash, we will need the ongoing cooperation of our neighbors to maintain them in a state of cleanliness.”

(courtesy photo)
(courtesy photo)

During the celebratory announcement that featured more than 30 first-graders from Maple Primary and LA Sanitation brand mascots “Octoclean” and “Mr. Recycle,” Councilmember Price also unveiled a new 311 billboard Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign in the Ninth District. The billboard space was donated by Lamar Advertising Company and the PSAs can be seen district-wide in English and Spanish, urging residents to report illegal dumping, bulky items, and graffiti removal.

Councilman Price commended the partnering organizations for their respective roles and praised them for their commitment to neighborhood cleanliness.

“LA Sanitation is a proud partner of Councilmember Curren Price and the residents of the NEW 9th,” said LA Sanitation Director, Enrique C. Zaldivar, PE. “LASAN is committed to supporting Councilmember Price’s Clean & Green program goals along with his vision of enriching the quality of life. With enhanced LASAN services, funded by Councilmember Price’s office, residents will receive increased trash collection, expanded bulky item collection services, and three dedicated crews to identify and treat chronic litter locations.

“As we move beyond this stepped-up effort, LASAN will remain visible in the Ninth District to protect public health and the environment through our Clean Streets LA program.”

As part of a public education campaign, Councilmember Price’s office will spearhead monthly community clean-ups, and the Sanitation department will conduct outreach at schools, with neighborhood groups, and other community groups in the Ninth District.

For more information on the “Clean & Green” campaign, call the Constituent Services Office at (323) 846-2651.