The City of Atlantic City Department of Public Works, this morning, kicked off its Clean Communities program for Summer 2024 in Atlantic City’s 5th Ward, marking the third straight Summer of this effort. As part of the program, Public Works crews will be cleaning a different Atlantic City Ward each day (Monday to Wednesday) throughout the Summer, while encouraging residents to do their part to keep their neighborhoods clean by promoting personal responsibility through education and community involvement.
City of Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr., Atlantic City 5th Ward Councilman Muhammad “Anjum” Zia, City of Atlantic City department directors, students at Sovereign Avenue School and the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) all participated in the first cleanup of the Summer at Pete Pallitto Field. During each cleanup, Public Works will have a table setup 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 your community, while encouraging them to get involved.
“The best Public Works Department in the world is at it again this Summer, and I am extremely proud of the work they do,” said Mayor Small. “We prioritize Public Works in Atlantic City, and 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.”
“Once again, we look forward to our Public Works members working with the community to make Summer 2024 a clean and safe one,” said City of Atlantic City Director of Public Works 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.”
“Our goal with this program is to get residents to take pride in their community,” said Department of Public Works Clean Communities Coordinator Angela Brooks-Pittman. “It’s our job as the Public Works Department to clean, but the people of Atlantic City need to show that they care about their neighborhoods as well, so we want everyone to get involved. Something as simple as throwing a wrapper in the trash can make a big difference.”
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.
Residential groups of five or more can adopt at least four blocks during the program and receive $200 a month for the entire group to clean those blocks at least twice a month. More details and applications can be found at www.acnj.gov. Applications can be returned via email at abrooks-pittman@acnj.gov or dropped off at the Public Works Office in room 604 at City Hall, 1301 Bacharach Blvd. Further questions from the community on the initiative can be directed to the Department of Public Works at 609-347-5700.
