Teens Leaving “Big Mess” At Old Market Square

Some business owners near Old Market Square are concerned about a growing litter problem.

The issue was discussed at a meeting of the city's TIF committee this morning.

Councilman Chris Mann said he's heard from several residents that young people are congregating in the square and leaving large amounts of trash behind.

“A couple people have asked, 'Can we not have a patrol come through there?'” Mann said. “It's not that we don't clean it, it's just overwhelms the person who cleans Old Market Square. It's just horrible. They leave a mess.”

Councilman Dave Watson asked if the teens were hanging out in the parking lot or amphitheater.

City officials said it was the parking lot.

“Are there trash cans?” Watson said.

Patrick Rivers said “there are more trash cans out there than you've got trees.”

“They don't use them,” Mann said.

The teens used to hang out at the old Walmart, but were told they couldn't gather there anymore.

Bleu Voodoo owner David Wingard said loitering teens leaving trash are a problem for his parking lot.

“I have to clean that parking lot at least every Friday and Saturday,” Wingard said.

“There's a lot of Pepsi cans, cigarette butts and all that,” Rivers said.

“That's underage smoking as well,” Wingard said.

Rivers said he didn't mind the teens hanging out in Old Market Square.

“It's just they leave a mess,” Rivers said. “Once in awhile, it's not a big deal, but when it's an everyday thing, it's ridiculous.”

The merchants also said the teens leave behind empty beer bottles, and agreed city sanitation works can't keep up with the problem.

Mayor Larry Bagwell said Police Chief Danny Traber is aware of the problem.

“He's going to try to follow through with it,” Bagwell said.

Watson suggested police officers talk to the teens.

“A lot of it's awareness,” Watson said. “If Danny or one of the officers would just stop and say, 'Kids, look around. If you're going to stay here, it can't stay like this. You're going to have to start using the trash cans.' They're kids. They don't think anything about it. Adults do the same thing. If somebody doesn't draw their attention to it, they don't think anything about it.”