Litter in neighborhoods creates an unpleasant environment for both residents and visitors. The Providence Department of Public Works (DPW) and four environmental Providence police officers are responsible for enforcing litter regulations. The DPW, Providence Environmental Strike Team (PEST) writes thousands of litter violations tickets each year

 

Youth Litter Core

Since 1985 the youth litter core has picked up litter from beaches, parks and neighborhoods throughout the state. There are four youth litter core programs in Providence. The Corps establishes strong partnerships between city agencies, the private sector and city residents. This coordinated approach emphasizes mutual responsibility in the community.

 Keep Providence Beautiful

In 1982, Keep Providence Beautiful (KPB), a non-profit organization, began working to preserve & promote a cleaner, safer Providence through city-wide school education programs, community service, public awareness & community outreach activities.

Keep Providence Beautiful conducted photometric surveys from 1982 until 1992. A photometric survey measures the pieces of litter on the ground on randomly selected streets and sidewalks throughout the city. According to the surveys, the overall amount of litter measured decreased by 70% from 1982 to 1992. Presently no one is collecting data on the amount of litter in Providence.
Strategies for the Community

  • Increased grassroots Neighborhood activism

  • Public, multi-lingual outreach campaigns to raise awareness and encourage people to be reasonable regarding actions that affect others in the neighborhood.

  • A citywide mission statement from government and citizens that affirms that these issues are important and that they will be made a priority.

 

 Strategies for the City
  • Traffic engineers could post signs warning of littering and noise violations
  • Noise Ordinances could be more rigorously enforced in the Downtown area.
  • Examine the effectiveness of existing laws by

1.Keeping a complete database specifying the particular type of nuisance crime reported

2.Mapping where nuisance crimes occur most frequently. (Repeat offenders)

3.Proposing amendments to strengthen legislation if necessary.

  • A greater number of officers in the police department could be proactively involved in community policing in neighborhoods.