Dump-de-dump-dump!
Late-night litterers are making a mockery of a new sign that implores them not to stash their trash in a corner of Marine Park and locals say if the city thinks the placard is going to stop illegal activity that cameras and cops couldn’t, it has another thing coming.
“Like that’s going to solve the problem,” said Marine Parker Jeffrey Diamond. “I don’t know what will solve the problem but the signs aren’t going to do anything.”
The Parks Department plastered about 45 of the green signs along the falling fence that extends from Hendrickson Place to Hendrickson Street, adjacent to the Marine Park Golf Course and behind the Sam Ash music store on Flatbush Avenue about two weeks ago in its latest attempt to stop people from dumping large items such as old televisions and wooden pallets on the park-side of the fence. In the past it has also put up cameras and had Parks Enforcement Patrol along with cops monitoring the area, but neither seemed to solve the problem.
Officials hope the signs will deter people from dumping their waste by letting them know it’s illegal, and if caught, they could get slapped with a fine, according to a department spokeswoman, who added that no one has ever been caught in the act.
But locals are doubtful that the signs will do the work of a constant patrolman.
“People are going to come out late at night and throw their stuff, and unless it’s monitored, people are going to do what they do, said Mark Cohen, who lives in Mill Basin.
And the trash-ridden area — already swarming with flies — is a breeding ground for rodents, said one Marine Parker.
“We don’t need anymore rodents than we already have, who knows what else is crawling there,” said Barbara Wagner “The more trash you have in the street the more wild animals you’re going to get there.”
The Parks Department is also asking local neighbors and good Samaritans to help catch the culprits.
“We recognize that illegal dumping is a problem at this location, and we have tried many methods to monitor this issue here,” said Maeri Ferguson. “We work closely with the concessionaire of Marine Park Golf to ensure that the affected area is regularly cleaned, and we encourage all New Yorkers to help us keep this and all parks beautiful by properly disposing of their trash and unwanted belongings, and to report to 311 if illegal dumping is witnessed.”
The operator of the golf course said the trashed area is has become a commercial dumping ground that staff routinely tries to keep clean, but it is kind of tough to remove a refrigerator.
“It is a never-ending problem,” said Michael Giordano. “The signage without enforcement is not effective. We are looking for allies to solve the problem. We do the best we can but it is an absolute uphill battle.”
