“Should I stop to pick up this piece of trash? Why did someone think it was OK to trash my community? Maybe someone else will pick this up? Wait – this is my neighborhood and I’m pitching in to make OB a bit cleaner!” As Ocean Beach community members, we’ve all had these thoughts, and one of the things that makes OB so special is the quality of our community and that we take care of OB and one another. Cleaning up our community provides immediate and tangible results, improving our day-to-day quality of life, helping to protect the marine environment, and keeping residents engaged in neighborhood improvement activities. Cleaner streets and sidewalks not only boost neighborhood pride, but also help fight crime. Time and time again, in cities across our nation, crime rates have dropped after cleanup and beautification efforts. A trash-free flower bed is not just pretty landscaping, it is a sign of a community that cares.
Litter can be intentional or by accident, but either way we need to find solutions to fight this urban blight that impacts our environment. Community clean-ups are a multi-faceted solution: You’re protecting animals, fish, birds, and plant life from the risks that the trash brings, and you’re also sending a message to other people that someone cares about this piece of water or land – that it’s not a place to dump their unwanted items.
A variety of clean-up and graffiti abatement neighborhood groups and efforts have sprung up over the last few years to help polish up our community. The OB Town Council will be inviting representatives from these cleanup groups to attend our next Town Council meeting 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22 at the Masonic Hall at 1711 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. and we hope you will attend to learn more and get involved with respecting OB and taking care of our community.
The object and purpose of the Ocean Beach Town Council is to express the will and represent the welfare of the community of Ocean Beach by providing a forum for the discussion of community issues, communicating the views and needs of the community to the appropriate agencies, and promoting the general betterment and beautification of Ocean Beach.
The OB Town Council hosts public meetings on the fourth Wednesday every month except November and December. Regular speakers include local leaders, political, business and law enforcement representatives, as well as members from all corners of the Ocean Beach community. Whether you’re a long-time OBcean or just want to learn more about OB, all are welcome! Meetings are located at the Masonic Center, 1711 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.