Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price has decided that the most efficient and practical way to help revitalize the 9th District is to simply pick up more trash. That’s why residents will soon see additional trash pick-up service and litter bins, thanks to the allocation recently of $1 million in city funds.
It’s called a “360-degree” approach to combat the debris problem in the densly-populated district. Price said the funding includes $400,000 to purchase hundreds of trash cans, including solar-powered trash compactors and automated litter bins, to be placed around the district.
Another $300,000 will pay for Los Angeles Sanitation crews to serve Price’s 9th Council District, while $370,000 will go to the nonprofit group Coalition for Responsible Community Development to pick up bulky items such as mattresses, furniture and other debris.
The money came out of three funds—general, community block grant and discretionary funds—as part of the 9th District’s “Clean and Green” initiative. When Price took office three years ago, there were only 15 city-operated trash bins spread throughout the district in places like bus stops.
Price also unveiled an anti-illegal-dumping and graffiti removal public service campaign, in English and Spanish, using billboard space donated by Lamar Advertising Co.
“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.
The councilman added that he is “confident we can win the war on trash,” but noted the city needs the ongoing cooperation of our neighbors to maintain them in a state of cleanliness.”
L.A. Sanitation has partnered with Price in the innovative clean-up plan in directing three specific crews to identify and treat chronic litter locations.
“We’re proud to partner with Councilman Curren Price and the residents of the New 9th,” said Enrique C. Zaldivar, director of L.A. Sanitation. “As we move beyond this stepped-up effort, our department will remain visible in the 9th District to protect public health and the environment through our Clean Streets L.A. program.”
Price’s environmental effort is the latest in a series of steps he’s taken toward improving the quality of life for some of the city’s most underserved—and deserving—residents. A number of parks in the area have been refurbished, alleyways have been cleaned, trees trimmed, graffiti painted over, and new businesses brought in. Because major thoroughfares like Central Avenue and Avalon Boulevard are often congested not only with vehicles but by heavy pedestrian traffic, the new plan will deploy hundreds of trash receptacles as well as the public awareness campaign featuring 311 billboards all of which designed to encourage residents to keep their neighborhood clean. One aspect of Mayor Eric Garcetti’s “Great Streets” initiative could include bicycle lanes along the Historic Central Avenue Jazz Corridor stretching roughly from Adams Boulevard to Slauson Avenue.
Price’s office will also spearhead monthly community clean-ups, and L.A. Sanitation will conduct outreach on area school campuses as well as with neighborhood and community groups within the district.
For more information about the “Clean and Green” program, call the 9th District constituent office at (323) 846-2651. The Central Avenue Constituent Services Center is located at 4301 S. Central Ave.
