50 Tons Of Debris Cleared In Operation Clean Sweep: DeKalb

DECATUR, GA -- About 50 tons of debris were removed from DeKalb County on the first Saturday of Operation Clean Sweep, the county announced Tuesday.

Several crews teamed up on the trash, strewn across a 12-mile span encompassing Panola, Redan and outh Stone Mountain-Lithonia roads.

“We all know what we need to do, and we’re ready to do it," Director of Beautification Marcus Kellum said in a statement.

Read more: Operation Clean Sweep kicks off Saturday

At Saturday's kickoff, CEO Michael Thurmond said the initiative was partly in honor of DeKalb resident Cynthia Houston.

“Long before I ever thought about being CEO, I noticed Ms. Houston always out on the side of the road, picking up trash, no matter the weather,” Thurmond said. “We’re kicking off Operation Clean Sweep today in her honor.”

“You have to have respect for where you live and your environment,” Houston was quoted as saying. “If you don’t, then nobody else will.”

Operation Clean Sweep resumes Saturday, March 18. The operation will focus on Panola Road from Snapfinger Road to Salem Road.

Separately, Decatur is hosting Neighborhood Clean-up Days on Saturdays throughout March and April.

Collection for March 18 will take place in the following neighborhood:
-- Great Lakes

-- Clairemont Avenue (From William Street to Scott Blvd.)

-- Champlain Street

-- Seneca Street

-- Erie Avenue

-- Huron Street

-- Michigan Avenue

-- Superior Avenue

-- Lucerne

-- Geneva Streets

-- Superior Avenue (north of Scott Blvd.)

-- Vidal Blvd.

-- Lamont Drive

-- Garden Lane

-- Beaumont Avenue

-- Oakland Street

-- Montgomery Street

-- Fairview Avenue

-- Ponce de Leon Place

-- Northern Avenue

-- Wilton Drive

-- Church Street (600 Block To 1335)

-- Willow Lane

-- Pensdale Road

-- Eastland Drive

-- Parkside Circle

-- Landover Drive

-- Ferndale Avenue

-- North Decatur Road

-- Scott Blvd (800 to 1300 Block)
The city is asking that all items that homeowners want collected be brought curbside by 7:30 a.m.

Image courtesy of DeKalb County