Atlantic City is looking to involve residents in keeping the city clean. And there's a cash incentive.
Public Works kicked off its Clean Communities Program for the third year Monday, at Pete Pallitto Field.
"We know that we have a job as Public Works to come out and clean," Clean Communities Coordinator Angela Brooks-Pittman said. "But you need to take pride in your community. We want everyone to be involved with your Clean Communities initiative.
The Atlantic City Public Works Clean Communities team."If you have a clean neighborhood, you have a healthy neighborhood," she added.
Residents can even team up to earn while they clean.
Teams of five or more who adopt a minimum four-block section can receive a stipend of $200 for the group, Brooks Pittman said.
Regular cleaning can earn them a maximum of $800 for the program's duration, which will run through Sept. 30.
From left: Fire Chief Scott Evans, Licensing and Inspections Director Dale Finch and Police Chief James Sarkos lend a hand,“We prioritize Public Works in Atlantic City," Mayor Marty Small said. "That commitment pays off through efforts like this one. I challenge all of our residents to join our crews in these neighborhood cleanups throughout the summer, as the city will continue to give our Public Works Department and residents the tools needed to ensure this initiative succeeds in keeping Atlantic City clean.”
After starting off with his signature "Great Day" motto, Small then called over mascot Super Can.
"It's a great can here in the city of Atlantic City," the mayor said. "Can we say Super Can."
Fifth Ward Councilman Muhammad Zia also was on hand, along with students from Sovereign Avenue School.
"I'm going to challenge everyone here today to see if you can pick up more trash than me," Small said before taking to the field with a garbage bag and a trash picker.
Every other weekend, manned tables will be at parks in the city to inform people about Clean Communities.Every other week, Public Works will have a table setup in city parks and playgrounds, where they will hand out reusable bags, trash pickers and gloves to residents, and will educate the public on why it’s important to take care of the community.
“Once again, we look forward to our Public Works members working with the community to make Summer 2024 a clean and safe one,” Public Works Director Crystal Lewis. “Our department will be out there daily to clean up our parks and streets, but we need the residents and businesses to do their parts as well, which is why this initiative was created. Cleaning up our city will only be effective if everyone works together to keep it that way.”
The Clean Communities program will take place Monday to Wednesday each week now through the end of September in a different Atlantic City Ward each of those days. New this year, Public Works crews will also be set up every other Saturday in the different neighborhoods in hopes of getting more participation from the public.
More details about the cash incentive and applications can be found at www.acnj.gov. Applications can be returned via email to abrooks-pittman@acnj.gov or dropped off at the Public Works Office in Room 604 of City Hall at 1301 Bacharach Blvd.
Further questions from the community on the initiative can be directed to Public Works at 609-347-5700.
