Small groups are encouraged to get out and clean up neighborhoods in a safe way

​Borough President James Oddo and District Attorney Michael E. McMahon announced today they are continuing their partnership to encourage small, organized groups who are interested in hosting cleanups in their neighborhoods to do so.
 
“We continue to combat the war on litter and thank those Staten Islanders who have taken the extra step to clean up their neighborhoods,” said Borough President Oddo. “We are calling on constituents to help us in this fight, and are grateful to those doing their part to correct this self-inflicted problem.” 

The Borough President and District Attorney want to caution groups to hold clean ups only where it is safe to do so, exercise safety at all times, and only clean on good quality air days.
 
“I have lived on Staten Island all my life and unfortunately these are the absolute filthiest conditions as to litter and graffiti I have ever seen,” said DA McMahon. “All City agencies responsible and their leadership should be ashamed! People who litter and commit graffiti vandalism should also be ashamed, and wherever we can, will be prosecuted. Meanwhile, the citizens of Staten Island must come to the rescue. As the weather gets nicer and we begin spending more time outdoors, it’s important now more than ever that we ensure our communities are kept safe and clean. Building on the success of our anti-litter initiative, I am proud to announce my office is once again partnering with Borough President Oddo to take on this important issue. We have been greatly encouraged to see community groups have joined our call to action to help beautify our borough through regular community cleanups, and we look forward to many more clean-ups in the months ahead.”

Local groups who are interested in hosting a cleanup and need a site to clean or need support with supplies – including masks, garbage bags, and/or gloves – should email Irene Maiello at imaiello@statenislandusa.com or Lisa Thompson at Lisa.Thompson@rcda.nyc.gov. 
 
Groups are asked to organize themselves and take necessary safety precautions, including:
Keep groups to 10 people or less
Practice social distancing
Wear a mask and gloves
Stay hydrated
Do not handle illicit drug paraphernalia or potentially dangerous items, report them to 311

Those who participate are encouraged to post before and after photos on social media with the hashtag #SILitterHero to be re-posted by both office’s social media accounts.

Starting October 29th, major roads are to be closed from 10am to 2pm on Thursdays to facilitate litter removal and tree pruning;
Staten Islanders urged to plan alternate routes on those days
 
Borough President James Oddo has joined with the NYC Parks Department and Council Member Steven Matteo to announce a schedule of cleanups along major thoroughfares. Due to safety concerns, the roadways surrounding the park perimeters will be closed for the cleanups. The dates are as follows:
 
Thursday, October 29th – Snake Hill on Richmond Hill Road from Forest Hill Road to Arthur Kill Road
Thursday, November 5th – Travis Avenue from Draper Place to Victory Boulevard
Thursday, November 11th  – Rockland Avenue from Brielle Avenue to Manor Road
Thursday, November 19th  – Forest Hill Road from Richmond Hill Road to Rockland Avenue
 
These roads will be closed from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, with a 9:45 am muster, on those dates. Motorists are advised to be aware and plan alternate routes on these dates.
 
“While it may be an inconvenience to some when these roads are closed, this cleanup is needed for these agencies to safely and quickly remove bottles, fast food wrappers, and other items from the perimeter. Unfortunately, the selfish acts of some make it necessary to take these actions. Thank you to the Parks Department for working with us to keep these thoroughfares clean, especially during such difficult budgetary times. We all must find a way to contribute or our litter problem will only continue to get worse,” noted Borough President Oddo.
 
Council Member Matteo said, “Our battle against littering and illegal dumping has been ongoing for years, but it is particularly important that we step up our efforts now, as the city has made drastic cuts to Sanitation services that threaten to erode our quality of life. Whether it is our Clean Team tackling “hot spots: across Staten Island, removing graffiti from buildings, or collaborating with the Borough President on the Fall Parks Cleanup, we will continue to fight to maintain the beauty of our borough.”
 
The cleanup efforts are made possible through collaboration with the Parks Department, NYPD, DOT, and the Department of Sanitation.

​Borough President James Oddo and District Attorney Michael E. McMahon announced today they are encouraging small, organized groups who are interested in hosting clean ups in their neighborhoods to do so.
 
“We’ve had several groups reach out to our office who are interested in doing clean ups,” said Borough President Oddo. “I’m heartened by these groups – Scouts and others – who are willing to go out and clean up. I’d like to encourage those who are willing and able to do so to send us pictures of their work so we can thank you for doing your part to correct this self-inflicted problem.”
 
The Borough President and District Attorney want to caution groups to hold clean ups only where it is safe to do so, exercise safety at all times, and only clean on good quality air days.
 
“Litter is a problem of our own doing, yet too many of our neighbors continue to carelessly dispose of their trash on our sidewalks, streets, and parks. Not only does this selfish behavior become an eyesore and is punishable by law, we know unkept public spaces can become magnets for far more serious criminal activity,” said District Attorney McMahon. “I’m proud to join Borough President Oddo in encouraging and supporting considerate Staten Islanders to clean up after their less-thoughtful neighbors. While it should not have to be this way, together we can make our Island a cleaner and safer place.”
 
Local groups who are interested in hosting a cleanup and need a site to clean or need support with supplies – including masks, garbage bags, and/or gloves – should email Irene Maiello at imaiello@statenislandusa.com or Lisa Thompson at Lisa.Thompson@rcda.nyc.gov.
 
Groups are asked to organize themselves and take necessary safety precautions, including:

• Keep groups to 10 people or less
• Practice social distancing
• Wear a mask and gloves
• Stay hydrated
• Do not handle illicit drug paraphernalia or potentially dangerous items, report them to 311

 
Those who participate are encouraged to post before and after photos on social media with the hashtag #SILitterHero to be re-posted by both office’s social media accounts.

​Borough President Oddo announced today a litter PSA video featuring local kids (Borough Hall staff families) expressing their disgust for litter.
 
The PSA video shows that “even the kids know” litter is bad for where we live, but “they know what to do”: pick it up and throw it in the trash can.
 
“Staten Island listen up. Our litter problem is a self-inflicted one that Staten Islanders are doing to other Staten Islanders, one that Staten Islanders are doing to kids who are calling on you to help them keep their home clean. We hope these Staten Islanders grow up to be less inclined to act selfishly and demonstrate a greater appreciation for their neighbors and our Island,” said Borough President Oddo.
 
This first video features the children and grandchildren of Borough Hall staffers sharing the message to keep Staten Island clean. This is meant to kick off the new campaign and the Borough President is asking Staten Island parents to share videos of their kids sharing their messages to properly dispose of garbage and keep our borough clean. If interested in your child taking part in our anti-litter campaign, please contact Renee Sarno at RSarno@statenislandusa.com for details.
 
Borough President Oddo last week announced the resurgence of “Own the 18,” an anti-litter program, which encourages home and business owners to remove litter from their property, as well as 18 inches into the street, as required by NYC Administrative Code: Section 16-118(2)(a). During the weekend of July 18 (July 17-18), Borough President Oddo is asking Staten Island property and business owners to commit to taking a few moments to clean in front of their properties. Those who participate are encouraged to post before and after photos on social media with the hashtag #OwnThe18 to be re-posted by the office’s social media accounts.

​Borough President Oddo announced today the resurgence of “Own the 18,” an anti-litter program. “Own the 18” encourages home and business owners to remove litter from their property, as well as 18 inches into the street, as required by NYC Administrative Code: Section 16-118(2)(a).
 
During the weekend of July 18 (July 17-18), Borough President Oddo is asking Staten Island property and business owners to commit to taking a few moments to clean in front of their properties.
 
“We have tried everything under the sun that a local government office can, yet Staten Island seems to as filthy with litter as it ever has been. We fully understand there is a pandemic, an economic and budgetary crisis that has resulted from it, as well as a whole host of street and mental and physical implications from them. None of this justifies the litter we see or prevents us from each doing our small role in addressing the litter we see. So while I would hope Staten Islanders would do their part every day, we are designating one weekend when each of us pledge to remove litter near our homes and begin to reclaim part of our quality of life. Meanwhile, our team is back 'in the lab' crafting new initiates, including a couple designed for children in hopes they grow up to be less inclined to act selfishly and demonstrate a greater appreciation for their neighbors and our Island,” noted Borough President Oddo. “Our litter problem is a self-inflicted one that Staten Islanders are doing to other Staten Islanders. While the majority of Staten Islanders are not engaging in it, we need the majority to help us with the solution.”
 
Those who participate are encouraged to post before and after photos on social media with the hashtag #ownthe18 to be reposted by the office’s social media accounts.

RSVP on our Facebook Event Page to tell your Staten Island friends and neighbors you will #OwnThe18 the weekend of July 18th! 

Borough President James Oddo will joined with NYC Department of Parks to hold a beach cleanup event in honor of World Oceans Day 2019 on Saturday, June 8th. A call to action was issued for Staten Islanders who are interested in cleaning up our beaches to join us at Conference House Park for a cleanup of the 3.5 miles of shoreline from 10am to 1pm.

104 Staten Islanders volunteered their time to join us, including students from IS 75, Port Richmond HS, Tottenville HS, PS 22, and PS 51. 

Cooling stations and restrooms were available. The cleanup at Conference House Park will featured tables with information from different environmental education groups and City agencies.

Below is video of Deputy Borough President Ed ​Burke showing the tremendous work our volunteers put in.  

Borough President James Oddo is pleased to announce a partnership with NYC Department of Parks to hold a beach cleanup event in honor of World Oceans Day 2019.
 
We all know Staten Island has a litter problem, and we are working to make it better, but we can’t do it alone! Borough President Oddo and NYC Parks are issuing a call to action for Staten Islanders – civic groups, community organizations, and individuals – who are interested in cleaning up our beaches to join us at Conference House Park for a cleanup of the 3.5 miles of shoreline. This event will take place June 8, from 10am to 1 pm, rain or shine. Cooling stations and restrooms will be available.
 
“The fight to reclaim our Island from those who litter continues. We ask the public to help us, not only by not littering, but also by joining with us to help clean up the shoreline at Conference House Park on June 8th,” said Borough President Oddo. “We hope that by having a call to action for one weekend, we can enlist more Staten Islanders in this battle. I know the majority of Staten Islanders are not engaging in it, but we need the majority to help us with the litter solution in order to protect our community and our beaches.”
 
The Borough President’s Office and NYC Department of Parks will donate supplies for the cleanup efforts at Conference House Park for volunteers to safely cleanup the shoreline. In order to ensure there are enough supplies for the cleanup, please RSVP below or call Irene Maiello at (718) 816-2239.
 
The cleanup at Conference House Park will also feature tables with information from different environmental education groups and City agencies. There will also be a guided historic tour of the area available.
 
“We count on New Yorkers to help us keep our public spaces clean and green, and that includes our waterbodies and beaches,” said NYC Parks Staten Island Borough Commissioner Lynda Ricciardone. “We are proud to partner with Borough President Oddo in an effort to reduce litter across the Staten Island shoreline. Together, we can all chip in to maintain and enjoy a healthy, beautiful environment.”
 
In the event that any illicit drug paraphernalia is found, NYC Parks will have trained crew members on site to properly and safely dispose of it.

On Thursday, May 17th, BP Oddo announced a partnership with the Staten Island Advance to help promote the “Own the 18” anti-litter initiative. May 18th to 20th will be this year’s “Own the 18” weekend. “Own the 18” refers to a city law that requires business and homeowners alike to clean the street in front of their store or house to a distance of 18 inches from the curb.
 
The Staten Island Advance has generously donated four orchestra tickets to a show at the St. George Theatre for one lucky winner who “owns the 18” this weekend. To enter the contest, before-and-after clean up photos can be emailed or posted to Instagram anytime from Friday, May 18th through Sunday, May 20th. There is no limit to the number of photos that can be submitted, but there will only be one entry per person. At least one before and one after photo is required.
 
To submit photos, email them to photo@siadvance.com or post them to Instagram with the hashtag #ownthe18.
 
The winner can select one of the following shows:
Melissa Etheridge, June 19, 7:30pm
Stepehn Stills & Judy Collins, June 29, 8pm
Dion, July 20, 8pm
Midtown Men, October 13, 8pm
 
“We are grateful to Brian Laline and the Staten Island Advance for partnering with us to encourage Staten Islanders to join us in fighting Staten Island’s litter woes,” said BP Oddo. “I recognize that it is not all Staten Islanders who created this problem. But though you and I may not have caused it, I’m asking that we all pitch in to solve it. And as a bonus, you might end up enjoying some great entertainment for your efforts!”

You can learn more about the contest here.