Illegal Dumping Reaches New Low with Dead Kitten

What do rusty nails, soiled mattresses, piles of broken furniture -- and, yes, dead cats have in common? They have all been illegally dumped recently on the corner of Hawthorne and Flatbush.

Thanks to some neighbor-watchdogs, we've got a few leads on various guilty parties. If you see any one dumping residential trash on street corners in the neighborhood, please note any identifying information where possible (such as a drivers' license) and report it to the Department of Sanitation.

Photos readers have sent from previous weeks that we are only now getting around to posting:

 

 

Help Document Illegal Dumping in PLG

A neighbor of ours has come up with a plan to combat illegal dumping in the neighborhood, but she needs your help: Whenever you see illegally dumped garbage in the neighborhood, take a photo and email it to carmen19b@gmail.com. Be sure to include the cross streets or address. Please copy us at Hawthorne Street as well, brooklynite282 at gmail.

My first goal is to collect as many pictures as possible and bring this issue to the attention of Senator Adams. I have left a message with his staff and am awaiting a call-back with a date and time to meet with him. Secondly, I intend on contacting NY1 and News 12 to create widespread public awareness of this issue. In order to successfully bring this issue to light, and publicly shame this person for disrespecting our community, I need photos.

Also, remember that if you know of any business or residence improperly dumping waste, you can report the fact via 311 Online. Thanks, and happy crowdsourcing!

Cut Down Litter with "No Flyer" Signs

Thanks to fellow PLGer Karen Oh, Hawthorne Hardware is now selling these lovely "no flyer" signs for people to post on their stoops. Karen originally made the flyers for her Sterling Street block association, and I bugged her for the template in order to make more.

Posting "no flyer" signs not only cuts down on the litter in front of your own place, it reduces litter in the whole. Once a certain threshold of residents on any given block have signs posted, the people who deliver circulars will consider the block a waste of time and avoid it.

The signs, which are neither huge nor hideous, cost $1 and can be purchased at Hawthorne Hardware (Flatbush at Hawthorne).