For Immediate Release
April 29, 2008 |
Contact: Terry Payne,
Public Information Officer
City of Hot Springs
(501) 321-6806
tpayne@cityhs.net |
City residents, take note: Operation Clean Sweep will soon be in the East Grand neighborhood. In a multi-departmental effort to address code violations in target neighborhoods, Operation Clean Sweep begins Monday, May 5 in the neighborhood bordered by Central Avenue, East Grand Avenue, Reserve Street and Coy Street, which falls within city district 2. The three-step program includes education, cleanup and enforcement. Throughout the first week, 2-person teams from the city’s Neighborhood Services Division will pay door-to-door visits to each of the properties in the target neighborhood. With the goal of voluntary cooperation and compliance to code requirements, they will distribute packets of educational information and explain to residents what actions they need to take with their homes and properties to become compliant.
During the second week, beginning on Monday, May 12, cleanup will begin. The Sanitation Department’s CAPS (Clean, Attractive Property Service) truck will visit the neighborhood daily, collecting items placed curbside by residents. The city street sweeper will also be used. Alternative Service workers from Hot Springs District Court will augment the cleanup efforts. Residents can recognize their presence as they operate from a van marked “Litter Crew.”
Beginning the week of May 19, enforcement will follow, with Neighborhood Services inspectors revisiting the area and writing tickets to address remaining code violations. “Before” and “after” photographs will be taken to document the success of the program.
Other city departments will also participate in the three-week operation. Heightened police patrol will be provided and any neighborhood drug activity targeted. Fire Department personnel will address fire safety concerns identified during the sweep. Animal Services will assist with any animal issues arising from door-to-door visits and inspections. Packets given to residents will contain helpful information on a variety of topics including code requirements, proper posting of addresses, curbside recycling, the Fire Department’s free smoke detector program, and more.
The city plans to target additional neighborhoods during the coming year. Depending on the outcome of the program, other areas of the city may be considered in the future. For more information, contact Neighborhood Services, 321-6857.
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