CROWN HEIGHTS — Less is more.
That's what the Department of Sanitation is cautioning the Crow Hill Community Association, which is on a quest to install pricey new trash cans on Franklin Avenue.
"The [Sanitation] Department feels that the addition of litter baskets along Franklin Avenue could result in misuse of these baskets," said Sanitation spokeswoman Kathy Dawkins. "There are many mixed-use buildings — commercial and residential — and additional litter baskets would invite homeowners and business owners to place commercial and household trash in the baskets."
However, members of the Crow Hill Community Association say the bustling corridor is overflowing with refuse, and they have organized a campaign to add litter baskets at some of its most heavily trafficked corners.
"There's been a lot of interest in making this a cleaner neighborhood," said association member Judy Bartlett, who helped spearhead the anti-trash campaign. "The Department of Sanitation said, be careful what you ask for."
Residents are pushing for pricey high-end baskets, designed to keep litter from overflowing onto the street.
"Last year, Councilwoman Letitia James sponsored a new high-end basket which costs about $800 located on Franklin Avenue and Lincoln Place," Dawkins said. "The high-end basket has more curb appeal, encloses the litter and keeps spillage to a minimum."
But not everyone on Franklin Avenue is happy about the fancy new cans.
"Trash gets picked up on Saturday and by Sunday it's overflowing," said Bob and Betty's owner Tony Fisher, who said he's had nothing but trouble from the new basket installed at the corner of Lincoln Place. "Whoever has an address in front of the can gets hit with a ticket."
The longtime Crown Heights merchant agreed with the Sanitation Department that more cans won't make Franklin Avenue cleaner.
"I got another ticket last week," Fisher said. "The things they're advocating for do a disservice for the neighborhood."
