Clean-up, Anti-Litter Enforcement Add Shine to Dearborn Downtowns

City crews cleaned up the east and west downtowns over the summer. (Photo courtesy of city of Dearborn)

» Stay connected by signing up for the Dearborn Patch newsletter and real-time news alerts.

It’s not your imagination.

Dearborn’s downtown areas are looking better than ever, and it’s because of a renewed effort by city crews to clean up trash and prevent littering in the business districts.

Over the summer, city of Dearborn crews have removed more than 600 bags of trash from east and west downtown, focusing on parking lots and the storefronts along Michigan Avenue. Efforts will continue into the fall season, the city said in a news release.

Additionally, the city partnered with the West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority and East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority to install litter-prevention signs and additional trash receptacles in several city-owned parking lots. Signs aim to curb littering in the districts by reminding visitors to “put litter in its place,” and that littering is illegal, punishable by a $500 fine.

Similar programs are under way in the Dix-Vernor and Warren Avenue districts, with plans to place additional trash cans and install signage in those areas.

“We’ve noticed a marked improvement in the appearance of our downtowns because of our efforts,” said Sean Adams, sanitation supervisor.

Along with the placement of signs, the next step is to target the areas where littering is a problem with enforcement of the law.

“Our team has collected data on where the hot spots for litter are, and the next step is to coordinate with the Dearborn Police Department to monitor and ticket litterers in these areas,” Adams said.

While clean-up and enforcement efforts continue, the most important thing that residents can do to help stop litter from spreading into neighborhoods and business districts is to follow Dearborn’s rules for property maintenance, city officials said.

Residents and businesses should always make sure that trash placed in city-issued trash carts is bagged and tied. This prevents trash from blowing out of the cart. Additionally, property owners should always keep their own yards free of trash and debris.

The city also reminded residents of and visitors to Dearborn are reminded to do their part to keep the city clean by always disposing of waste in trash receptacles when visiting local business areas.