Focusing in particular on clogged catchbasins, in the aftermath of Friday’s historic rains, Assemblyman William Colton (D—Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Dyker Heights) and his chief of staff, Susan Zhuang, currently on unpaid leave, led a team of volunteers on Saturday, September 30, in cleaning up litter and debris in the vicinity of Seth Low Park, as well as in portions of the area bounded by 86^th Street, 14^th and 18^th Avenues, and the water.

Armed with rakes and brooms, the hard-working volunteers bagged garbage and swept streets and gutters, filling large trash bags as they went.

“Friday’s rains demonstrated the importance of what we have been doing for well over a decade,” said Assemblyman Colton. “Where catchbasins were clogged with rubbish, streets flooded, creating potentially hazardous, inconvenient and unsightly conditions. We aim not only to make neighborhood streets cleaner and more pleasant for residents and businesspeople, but also to raise awareness of the importance of keeping your community clean, which benefits everyone.”

Given the flooding that many areas of the city experienced in the wake of the record-breaking rainfall, Assemblyman Colton suggested that the Department of Sanitation look into ways to clean catchbasins in advance of expected heavy downpours, in hopes of averting similar situations in the future.

Among the volunteers were students from John Dewey High School, Brooklyn Tech, Fort Hamilton High School, Girl Scout Troop 9251, Boy Scout Troop 99, the Federation of Italian American Organizations and the Chinese American Social Services Center.

Assemblyman Colton and Zhuang have organized neighborhood cleanups for about 10 years. They occur several times each year. Individuals and groups interested in participating in future cleanups can reach out to Assemblyman Colton’s office by emailing waszakc@nyassembly.gov.