LOS ANGELES (CNS) - City officials Monday outlined a multipronged approach to clean up streets with high foot traffic in the neighborhoods of Pico Union and Westlake.
Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez, who represents the First District, which includes the impacted areas, celebrated the 90 new trash containers and a public information campaign aimed at increasing MyLA311 usage as part of the Clean Streets initiative.
"Pico Union and Westlake are among the most densely populated areas in L.A. County, and for years, the allocation of resources and services to address trash and cleanliness in the area has lagged far behind the level of need," Hernandez said in a statement.
Some of the trash containers will be placed along Vermont Avenue, Washington Boulevard, Venice Boulevard, Alvarado Street and MacArthur Park. Additionally, her office will be teaming up with a coalition of city and community partners to address the "under-reported bulky items and illegal dumping."
The trash that litters the streets, she said, leaves communities feeling unsafe as unsanitary items block sidewalks, impede the public right of way, and clog up alleyways.
Hernandez was joined by Barbara Romero, general manager of the Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment, and Aura Garcia, president of the Board of Public Works, to talk about the initiative.
"LA Sanitation and Environment is committed to providing essential quality of life services to the residents of Los Angeles," Romero said. "It is important to partner with communities like Westlake and Pico Union to add these additional receptacles to help keep neighborhoods clean."
According to Hernandez, LASAN began the installation of 30 automated litter bins and 60 metal slatted bins last week, and the work is expected to be complete by mid-March. Trash pick for these bins will take place six days a week, from Monday through Saturday.
"Thanks to the leadership of Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, we are able to prioritize cleaner communities across the city," Garcia said in a statement. "Together we can work on solutions that can improve the quality of life for our residents."
The councilwoman made the announcement on National 311 Day, which is celebrated on March 11. City officials use the day as a way to encourage residents to use the MyLA311 mobile app, website and call center to request city services.
Hernandez emphasized the public information campaign will be conducted in efforts to target areas with historically low rates of 311 requests and high rates of unreported illegal dumping and bulky items left on the streets. The campaign will kick off with weekly 311 walks, the installation of educational signage, and outreach to schools, faith-based organizations, small businesses and community organizations.
The city will look to incorporate a multi-language component to ensure residents who may not speak English understand how and why to use MyLA311.
The councilwoman noted that there will also be dedicated clean-up crews through partnerships with LA Conservation Corps and the Korean Youth + Community Center to remove trash and debris, assist with bulky item pickup and address weed and litter along sidewalks, alleyways, parks and school zones.