Spring is Here… and So Is the Trash

With the snow finally melted and the temperatures starting to climb, spring is officially upon us! Unfortunately, so is the annual reminder of just how selfish and disrespectful some people can be – treating our city like their personal garbage can. I’ve never seen certain parts of Milwaukee filthier.

This is the time of year when community groups all across Milwaukee start organizing cleanups. I respect the hell out of these groups and truly applaud their efforts, because it’s absolutely needed. But at the same time, we need to start moving toward a point where these groups can direct their time and energy toward beautification and meaningful neighborhood projects – not just picking up after lazy and thoughtless individuals who don’t care about the spaces we all share.

And yes, I’ve already seen the same mess making its annual appearance. The wigs – often mistaken for roadkill. The empty Black & Mild packaging. The empty fast-food bags. Milwaukee’s Best beer cans. Empty Hennessy bottles. Chip bags. And everything else in between. I’ve even seen dirty diapers being thrown from the windows of moving vehicles. Outright shameful and embarrassing.

There’s no reason why one side of Milwaukee can be clean and well-kept, while another looks like a dark cloud carrying litter rolled through and dropped trash instead of rain. We all have a role to play in respecting our neighborhoods.

As I did last year, I’m once again asking that MPD, when possible, strictly enforce Milwaukee’s litter ordinance. It’s a $500 fine each time – and frankly, the City could use the money. If you’re out here treating the streets like your personal dump site, it’s past time for you to clean up your behavior. For the sake of our environment, our neighbors, our community’s growth, and just plain human decency.

If not – don’t be surprised when that $500 fine comes your way. And trust me, it’ll hit harder than that tumbleweave (see definition below) blowing down the block.

Tumbleweave: stray, often synthetic, hair (like weaves or wigs) that is driven by the wind and can be found on sidewalks and streets in urban areas.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.