About a month ago, Boston’s Department of Public Works prepared a full-color brochure for residents that provided information about the upcoming winter. The brochure carefully explained rules on snow removal, street parking and other matters and provided telephone numbers for special situations. It was a great idea, prompted by a number of requests to the DPW for guidance on rules for the winter.
The brochures were designed as door-hangers, so that they could be placed on residents doorknobs. A crew of people distributed them on Saturday, December 14th. There were a few problems however. December 14th saw the onset of a drenching rainstorm. In addition, the crews distributing the brochures frequently failed to leave the brochures on doorknobs. Instead, they left them clumped on railing and fences.
The combination of the rain, the poor placement and the Saturday delivery meant that by the time most Hill residents found the brochures, they were masses of soggen, albeit colorful, paper pulp. Sidewalks, streets and doorsteps were littered with their remains.
Meanwhile, dog owners on Beacon Hill have started to adopt a new practice to clean up after their pets. For years, neighborhood groups and city officials have been begging dog owners to pick up after their pets. The message seems to have gotten through. A number of owners, however, now pick up their pets’ leavings, place it in a plastic bag, tie it up and leave it … right on the sidewalk.
Perhaps it’s the convenience of three-time-a-week trash pickup that allows these dog owners to rationalize their behavior. Perhaps its the knowledge that no one will spend the money for a DNA analysis of their dogs’ leavings that makes them confident they won’t be caught. Whatever the reason, the little baggies strewn around the Hill make for an unpleasant obstacle course.
Residents rightly complain forcefully when the city fails to do its part in keeping neighborhoods clean. In the case of the errant snow fliers, I feel confident that the DPW’s delivery errors will not be repeated. But the city cannot do the job alone. Residents need to be more responsible and those of us who see others behaving irresponsibly need to point it out to them. It’s sometimes a little intimidating and perhaps even embarrassing to point out to others that they have littered or put their trash out in the wrong spot or left their dogs’ messes strewn around. But if we don’t do it, no one else will.