The Watertown Boys & Girls Club is calling on the local community to address a growing issue of illegal dumping on its property. Over recent months, staff members have expressed frustration as they have repeatedly discovered discarded items, including mattresses, couches, and even a flat-screen television, cluttering their parking lot. This problem not only detracts from the club’s environment but also diverts funds away from crucial programs intended for local youth.
Executive Director Gary Beatty highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that the frequency of dumping has noticeably increased within the last year. “It feels like it has ramped up, probably over the last 12 months or so,” he stated. The club’s surveillance cameras have captured both vehicles and individuals abandoning trash during late-night hours, leading Beatty to suspect that many of the offenders reside in the nearby area.
To combat this issue, the club has resorted to hiring contractors for the removal and proper disposal of the waste, which incurs costs of hundreds of dollars per load. Beatty emphasized the impact on the club’s finances, stating, “Every penny we bring into the club we want to keep in the club. So, to have to reinvest any of that in dealing with this trash issue is a real sense of frustration for us.”
Community Response and Police Involvement
Despite the presence of security signs and cameras, the illegal dumping continues unabated. The Watertown Boys & Girls Club is now collaborating with local law enforcement to identify those responsible for the littering and potentially recover some of the funds spent on clean-up efforts. Beatty expressed disappointment that some community members choose to dispose of their unwanted items at the club instead of utilizing proper disposal methods.
“I understand at times it can be difficult to get rid of things,” he said. “But at the Boys & Girls Club, we’re just really frustrated that rather than taking the initiative to go and get it done, as most people do, they decide that they would dump it here at the club and leave us to ultimately deal with it.”
The organization remains steadfast in its mission to provide a safe and engaging environment for children before and after school, despite the challenges posed by this ongoing issue. “We’re very proud of what we do,” Beatty remarked. “We love the work that we do and we’re just so happy to be here in the community.”
As the Boys & Girls Club strives to maintain its focus on youth services, the community’s cooperation will be essential in resolving the problem of illegal dumping and ensuring resources are allocated effectively to benefit local children.
