Responding to a complaint from an angry constituent about an accumulation of trash adjacent to the subway station at Highlawn Avenue, between West Seventh and West Eighth Streets, Assemblyman William Colton (D—Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Dyker Heights) led a cleanup of the area on Wednesday, August 6.

A staff member and four interns accompanied the assemblyman and assisted with removing trash and debris.

“The condition of the street in the vicinity of the Kings Highway N train station was deplorable, with broken trash bags spilling garbage onto the street, including rotting food attractive to vermin. There was even a shopping cart filled with more bags of trash across the street, as well as an abandoned bike,” said Assemblyman Colton. “My team immediately got to work, and we cleared as much as we could reach.”

The refuse was in multiple locations, including an alleyway adjacent to the station, according to the assemblyman, who said he would be reaching out to both the city’s Department of Sanitation and the MTA to follow up. “Clearly, this area needs attention from the appropriate agencies,” Assemblyman Colton said. “They need to follow up on what we have done, and keep the station surroundings clean.”

While the team was in the neighborhood, they also checked out Quentin Road, between West Eighth and West Ninth Streets, which has been an ongoing problem location, the assemblyman said.

“There was a great deal of bagged and loose garbage there, especially in the vicinity of a construction site, where it seems people sit to eat, and then leave the remains behind,” said Assemblyman Colton. “We set to work and cleaned up everything that we could sweep, shovel and carry away, not only trash but dried leaves. I will be reaching out to the construction company to remind them that they need to be a good neighbor and keep the site tidy.”

Neighborhood cleanups have long been a priority of Assemblyman Colton. “Keeping the community clean is so important,” he said. “It impacts quality-of-life for everyone who lives, works and visits here.”

To report an area in the district that needs cleaning, call the assemblyman’s office at 718-236-1598.