At the event, BP Oddo and Commissioner Garcia discussed the importance of bringing attention to the 18 inch law in order to make progress with the litter problem facing Staten Island.
“What we’re trying to do is encourage Staten Islanders to be a part of the solution,” BP Oddo noted. “On the weekend of June 18th, we want Staten Island property owners to go out and spend five minutes cleaning up the sidewalk and 18 inches into the street in front of their property. Litter is needless, and we have to change the mindset and the culture around littering. It is not normal, it is not acceptable and it should not be a part of everyday life on Staten Island, and that is an ongoing struggle.”
Commissioner Garcia encouraged community involvement, saying, “We need the public. We can't keep New York City clean by ourselves, especially when we see people littering. We hope that ‘Own the 18’ brings more awareness of the 18 inch law and that people get involved in keeping their community clean.”
You can sign up to "Own the 18" here.