One-hundred days and more than 1,500 tons of trash — with some random debris and overgrown vegetation thrown in.
That was the impressive haul collected by volunteers in the Clean 15 program sponsored by Los Angeles City Councilmember Tim McOsker’s office recently.
It was a “gorilla-style” effort, with volunteers tackling a makeover of sidewalks, gutters and unmaintained city properties, said participant Mona Sutton, a San Pedro business owner and co-founder of Caring Proactive Residents
The effort, McOsker said, was conducted after he heard from residents in “the One-Five” — the district that includes San Pedro, Wilmington, Harbor City, Harbor Gateway and Watts — that something needed to be done about the area’s illegal dumping and trash problems.
“I hope to continue this program for years to come,” McOsker said in a written statement, “because the difference it’s making is measurable and the work uplifts the wellbeing of each community in the One-Five.”
Altogether, the team 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.
Supporters of the pilot program say they hope it will continue as a way to achieve and maintain clean streets through the area, Sutton said in a statement.
The largest single day for the clean up was on Sept. 14, when volunteers picked up 94 tons in Wilmington along Pioneer, Opp and Quay streets.
Dave Matthews, president of the Harbor Gateway North Chamber of Commerce, said the efforts will help community members focus on other areas.
He and Irma Venegas, block captain of the Wilmington East Greenbelt Neighborhood Watch, both commended the program, as did Lorrie Lathrop, president of the Harbor City Neighborhood Council, and others.
“The Clean 15 Team,” said John Jones III, president and co-founder of Eastside Riders Bike Club, “is making a significant difference in Watts and it shows.”
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