Councilmember Linda Lee, who represents the 23rd District (Photo: CM Linda Lee)
May 2, 2022 By Christian Murray
Eastern Queens is in need of a cleanup and Councilmember Linda Lee is calling on her constituents to report locations where there is graffiti, excessive amounts of litter or items that have been dumped.
Lee launched a “Spring Cleaning Series” last month aimed at beautifying and restoring public areas across District 23, which covers the neighborhoods of Glen Oaks, Bellerose, Fresh Meadows, Oakland Gardens and Floral Park, as well as parts of Douglaston, Little Neck, Bayside, Hollis, and Queens Village.
Lee is calling on residents to report any trouble spots in the district, as she aims to spruce up the area with summer approaching. Her office is working with both the city and non-profit organizations to clean up problem areas in the district.
One issue that she is specifically trying to address is graffiti, which she says hurts businesses and puts a dent in civic pride.
“Graffiti that covers our local businesses and defaces our public spaces isn’t just an eyesore, but it impacts our quality of life,” Lee said. “Residents – many of whom are raising families here – feel a real sense of joy and civic pride in their neighborhoods, but that sentiment is ruined when we see businesses or public works defaced….”
Lee’s office is working with the Queens Economic Development Corporation to clean up the graffiti. The non-profit is in charge of power-washing and painting over graffiti—typically found on walls and fences/shutters.
Her office has already directed 10 locations to be cleaned since she took office in January.
The councilmember is also focusing on cleaning up litter and is working with the Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless (ACE) to address the problem. ACE, which employs the formerly incarcerated or homeless New Yorkers, sends out workers to do the cleanups.
“It is demoralizing to walk around the neighborhood and see heaps of trash piled on the side of the road and litter on the side of the road,” Lee said. She is urging the public to notify her office of areas in need of cleanup.
Lee is also working with the New York City Department of Sanitation to address illegal dumping, where residents have illegally discarded debris on the street, in a park or any other area.
“Illegal dumping continues to plague Eastern Queens as a whole and some of the most beautiful areas of our district in particular,” Lee said.
“Illegal dumping turns our green spaces into eyesores and attracts pests to our communities, posing health hazards to us all.”
Lee is urging residents to report people to authorities responsible for dumping.
To date, 20 locations have been cleaned as part of the Spring Cleaning Series.
Lee’s office is calling on her constituents to report areas in need of a clean-up or where graffiti needs to be removed. Her office can be reached at (718) 468-0137 or email to District23@council.nyc.gov.
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