People in Regina are looking for solutions as piles of trash continue to increase in the North Central neighborhood.
Matthew Wesley has been involved in the effort to tidy up North Central for nine years — something he wishes wasn't necessary.
“Around 70 percent of the alleyways in the North Central Community are filled with trash,” Wesley stated. “It’s frustrating because even if there were 30 people like me helping to clean it up, it still wouldn't make a difference.”
“There are needles, glass, diapers, rotting food, and various other hazardous items in all of this,” Wesley said. “Nails sticking out of wood and old furniture make it very dangerous”.
The litter is mainly located in back alleys, but it isn't always from residents of the area.
Regina city councillors and the North Central Community Association (NCCA) claim that many individuals from other neighborhoods are unlawfully dumping their trash in North Central.
“The majority of the trash in the back alleys and on vacant lots in North Central is not from North Central residents,” explained Pat Faulconbridge, the executive director of the NCCA. “They discard mattresses, old appliances, and just leave them anywhere in North Central.”
Once the ground thaws, there will be a large community cleanup through their ‘Renew’ program, according to her. Graffiti in the area is also covered up between May and the end of October.
“We have several young people and community volunteers participating in the community cleanups,” she said, but added that the problem reappears quickly even after the cleanups.
“Within two or three weeks, the alleys look the same as they did when we cleaned them up.”
Faulconbridge acknowledged that the negative perception of North Central has become a significant issue in the city, but she hopes for change in the future.
“The residents of North Central take pride in their community,” she stated. “Rather than posting pictures of the trash in the community, volunteer to help and clean it up.”
Wesley does acknowledge that some people care about the community, and he hopes that more individuals will do their part to prevent trash from littering the streets.
“It's important work, but it's not appreciated,” he said. “A significant number of people seem indifferent or choose to ignore it.”
