VIDEO: A New Group Wants City of Providence to Clean Up Its Trash

VIDEO: A New Group Wants City of Providence to Clean Up Its Trash

A new group in Providence wants the city to clean up trash — and has produced a video documenting what they say is the persistent problem across all neighborhoods.

“Providence Against Community Trash” (PACT) put together the four-minute clip that they said they sent to Providence Mayor Brett Smiley’s office, as well as City Council members. 

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The group wants the city to take proactive measures informing residents of proper trash removal for both bins and larger items — and also wants the city to take greater enforcement action against those who are not in compliance. 

“It shouldn’t be a big deal to clean up the streets, phone call after phone call,” said Dyan Kane, one of the group founders and the producer of the video. “We don’t want to be some shadow cleanup group.”

Kane, a Providence native who recently returned to the city after living in California for 25 years, says she was shocked at the condition of Providence’s street walking her dog through Federal Hill and along the Woonasquatucket.

“We’ve been asking for a cleanup. We’ve tried everything. But It’s like putting a band-aid on a gaping wound of 30 years,” she said. 

 

Quality of Life 

During his campaign, Smiley said his focus would be on the day-to-day issues in Providence. 

“Providence has the potential to be the best-run city in America, if we can get back to the basics and focus on simple quality of life issues,” said the Smiley campaign. 

Group member Jen LeRoy, who lives on Federal Hill and manages properties by Providence College, noted how Smiley grew up in Glenview, Illinois — an area she said she knows well. 

“That suburb is pristine,” said Roy. “I’m concerned that he doesn’t have a sense of urgency.”

Group co-founder and Smith Hill resident Janice Luongo said she has been trying to get a meeting with the Mayor’s office since February, to no avail. 

“We’ve been asking since the beginning,” said Luongo. 

On Wednesday, Smiley spokesperson Patricia Socarras said there has been “extensive communication between the city and this group” and that she would talking to department directors to gather more info. 

"Ensuring we are providing our residents high-quality city services is a top priority of Mayor Smiley which is why multiple offices have had outreach to the PACT group. Our DPW team and Director of DPW have attended meetings with the group, both one on one and as part of their meetings," said Socarras. "Our office has also offered virtual workshops helping the group learn how to use PVD311 since they have had trouble submitting requests via email as well. Some folks indicated challenges with the PVD311 App which will be addressed through the proposed upgrade the Mayor included in his most recent budget."

PACT is encouraging Providence residents who are interested in the effort to join the group -- people can email 2023pact@gmail.com for more information about how to get involved. 

First published: April 27, 2023 7:41 AM

Updated: April 27, 2013 9:23 AM