The DC Department of Public Works launched a unique litter and graffiti prevention program—Not in OUR DC! Pledge to Keep the Capital Clean—at two town hall meetings on Wednesday, July 9 (for youth) and Thursday, July 10, 2008 (for adults) from 9 am until 11:30 am. The events were held at WUSA 9, 4100 Wisconsin Avenue, NW.
Town hall participants also previewed a new documentary produced for DPW by Connect with Kids, which produces the Emmy Award-winning Connect with Kids television series. The 30-minute video illustrates the impact of litter and graffiti on Washington, DC and features residents who have taken unique approaches to help improve their neighborhoods. The documentary will premiere Saturday, July 12, on Channel 9 at noon.
At the events, nearly 150 youth, ages 13 to 19, and more than 130 adults worked in teams developing ideas and initiatives to help keep their communities litter and graffiti free. Examples of these initiatives included songs, poems and a musical jingle. The groups received a tool kit filled with information, activities and ideas to help school and community groups to implement litter and graffiti prevention programs.
“I’ve always believed that a clean city is a partnership between government and residents,” said DPW Director William O. Howland, Jr. “Litter and graffiti are too prevalent in DC and around the country. By helping to change the mindset of residents—especially while they’re young—we can help achieve lasting solutions.”
Howland said the goal of the town hall events is for participants to leave with an action plan that will help change the way members of their communities, schools, and organizations think and act with regard to litter and graffiti. DPW also will follow up with each of the teams to help them implement action plans, he added.
Not in OUR DC! Pledge to Keep the Capital Clean is designed to change behavior in an effort to reduce litter and graffiti. Additional components of the campaign include litter and graffiti prevention television commercials, and a Website that feature short videos and resource guides in English and Spanish.
Receive more information about the campaign, download resource tools to help create a plan for your neighborhood, and view the documentary by visiting www.dpw.dc.gov and click on Not in Our DC under “Services” in the left navigational field.