BATON ROUGE, LA — February 28, 2019 — Today, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announced the results of the January 2019 installment of Operation Fresh Start, the mayor’s parishwide litter abatement and beautification campaign. Operation Fresh Start began on Saturday, February 16, with a community cleanup effort. From Monday, February 18 through Friday, February 22, East Baton Rouge Public Works crews aggressively cleared litter and blight throughout the parish. More than 200 volunteers participated in seven community cleanups in an effort to reduce blight and remove litter in highly visible corridors.
This month’s Operation Fresh Start produced the following results:
- 231 tons (462,000 pounds) of trash and debris cleared and disposed
- 3,853 abandoned tires in the public right-of-way collected and disposed
- 468 illegally placed signs collected and disposed
- 83 potholes filled
- 133 trash and debris piles collected and disposed
- 967 bags of trash collected and disposed
- 11 intersections repainted
- 125 street signs replaced
Additionally, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) participated in Operation Fresh Start by cutting tree limbs growing near barrier rails along the Interstate 10 and 110 corridors. DOTD also cleared clogged catch basins on state highways and cleared debris and broken concrete beneath the interstate system and in parking areas. Republic Services and Waste Management also joined the program by supporting cleanup efforts and providing equipment and supplies for the volunteer cleanup.
“Operation Fresh Start empowers our citizens to co-create a more beautiful, appealing, and litter-free East Baton Rouge Parish,” said Mayor Broome. “It takes a partnership between dedicated citizens and committed public servants to beautify our parish and shift the culture of litter in our community.”
The next installment of Operation Fresh Start will take place in the second quarter of 2019. For more information, contact Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Rowdy Gaudet at 225-389-5109.