Carrick's 2011 Dump Clean Up

South Pittsburgh Reporter Article: Volunteers needed to clean illegal dump sites

This Saturday, April 9, volunteers coordinated by Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak’s office will be joining Carrick to clean out unsightly and illegal dump sites in the neighborhood.

"We’re calling it "The Big Carrick Clean-Up," and we’re letting you know about it for two very important reasons," noted John Fournier, chief of staff for Councilwoman Rudiak

Those interested in helping with the The Big Carrick Clean Up on Saturday, April 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., should meet at one of the two clean up locations: corner of Sprucewood and Alplaus, or Brook Street, west of the intersection of Brook and Trost Street.

From the Brook Street location, they will be dispatching smaller crews to clean up sites on Minooka Street, Cloverdale Street, Athena Way, Birmingham Ave, Romance Way, Pandora Way, Plummet Way, and Poplar Grove.

In Pittsburgh, dumping is illegal (Title 6, Article 1, §601.11) and is punishable by up to $5,000 for the first offense, and up to $10,000 for additional offenses, plus court costs. If anyone sees any person dumping on any property, whether public or private, they should call 911 immediately so a police officer may be dispatched to the scene and a citation may be written.

"We need you to be our eyes and ears in the neighborhood and help us look out for dumpers. Carrick is the most dumped-on neighborhood in the city, which is not a distinction that we want to keep," Mr. Fournier said. "Dumping is a serious problem and if we let it continue, we are letting people know that we don’t mind if they trash our neighborhood—it’s an invitation for decline."