District agencies will kick-off the Great American Cleanup/DC, in partnership with Keep America Beautiful, during a press conference and photo opportunity.

This year, the Great American Cleanup/DC will focus on the "Hot Spots"- high crime areas that require a concentration of efforts from several District government agencies.  All fourteen Hot Spots will receive an intensive cleaning during the eight-week program.

The Great American Cleanup is the nation's largest, organized litter prevention and community improvement program.  This is the fifth year that Washington, DC will be an official participant. The kick-off for the eight-week program is held in a different ward every year.  Last spring, volunteers put in over 6,000 hours and undertook over 110 community clean-up projects in the District of Columbia.

Participating agencies include the Department of Public Works, District Department of Transportation, Neighborhood Services Initiative, Metropolitan Police Department, Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, Department of Mental Health, and Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency.

What:

Press Conference and Cleanup Event - District-wide launch of the annual Keep America Beautiful Great American Cleanup

Where:

1st and O Streets, NW

When:

April 1, 2004

• 10 am - Press Conference
• 10 am to 2 pm - Community Cleanup

Who:

Leslie Hotaling, DPW Director
Councilmember Carol Schwartz
Hiram Brewton, Keep Washington, DC Beautiful Chairman