Roadside litter problem is too big and has too many culprits
QI am very tired of people complaining about how slow Caltrans cleans up roadside litter.
I picked up a bag from Togos in my front yard that was most likely tossed from someone’s car.
Back when kids played soccer at the neighborhood school on weekends, I’d pick up several empty water bottles just thrown out.
Caltrans doesn’t clean my neighborhood. Nor do they litter my neighborhood. People, look in the mirror. — Sandie Ehrman, San Jose
AYou are not the only one tired of this issue.
QI’m tired of people blaming trucks for the garbage on the road. Sure, some comes from trucks. But trash also comes from people throwing it out of their cars or from loads in pickups and trailers that are not covered.
The real question: How can we get people to not throw trash out their windows and to cover their loads correctly?
AOne way is through comments like yours. But there’s also a glimmer of hope.
Caltrans has begun temporary litter collection jobs and life skills training for parolees and veterans who helped remove more than 86,000 cubic yards of litter from highways, or the equivalent of about 5,400 full garbage truck loads of litter last year.
QThere’s no denying the horrible sight of trash along our roadways. While abhorrent and individuals are largely to blame, I routinely see streams of trash flowing from sanitation vehicles and trucks. — Jeff Adler, San Jose
ASo do I. Call the trucking company if you observe this again.
QHelp! Is there any way of getting police traffic control at Commercial and Berryessa on weekends? People are blocking the intersection and running red lights in order to get into the flea market. It took me 45 minutes to go from Naglee and Dana two weeks ago with 3 kids in the car, one who was severely car sick. — Ilene Schwartz, San Jose
AI do not bring hopeful news. Brian-theFlea-Market-guy says “The Commercial/Berryessa mess seems to be the perfect storm. Folks are tired of being cooped up, and now we have moved to the more relaxed orange tier and we have uncommonly nice weather. Couple that with three new stoplights within a quarter of a mile of that intersection, and it’s a recipe for a traffic jam.
“Usually spring is our busiest time and we have always had traffic issues then (kind of like Valley Fair leading up to Christmas), which will taper off the closer we get to summer.
I have two SJ reserve police officers working traffic control, but they’re tied up at the Maybury and Berryessa entrances.”