BeautifySJ Triumph and Trial: San Jose’s BeautifySJ program, aimed at combatting blight and enhancing community cleanliness, experienced a surge in volunteer engagement and blight removal in 2022-23. Volunteer participation in trash pickup increased by about 300%, with staffing levels rising from fewer than 17 employees to over 91 in four years. The program successfully cleared 9.5 million pounds of trash from public spaces, marking a 19% rise from the previous year.
Mayor Matt Mahan, a strong advocate for BeautifySJ, collaborates with the city and partners to organize regular cleanups. The City Council allocated $12 million for the program in this year’s budget. Mahan emphasizes the positive impact of community engagement on creating a cleaner, safer city.
However, Andrea Flores Shelton, deputy director of the city’s community services division, notes a downside. Despite the program’s success, there is a noticeable increase in illegal dumping, possibly linked to more frequent city trash pickups. Efforts to prevent and educate residents on proper waste disposal face ongoing challenges, with some exploiting eradication initiatives.
While the city prioritizes trash pickup and blight eradication, Flores Shelton advocates for a more comprehensive approach, emphasizing education and enforcement. BeautifySJ transitioned from one-time COVID-19 relief funds to a general fund item, but increased funding is deemed essential for a more robust system.
BeautifySJ also addresses cleaning homeless encampments, but this aspect has strained relations with some advocates. Scott Largent, a former RV dweller, suggests a lack of responsiveness to the insights of homeless individuals during cleanups. Flores Shelton acknowledges the complexity of operating in a challenging legal and environmental landscape but remains proud of the team’s efforts, highlighting ongoing challenges in addressing emergency housing and shelter options.
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