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A new volunteer group in Cambridge has started tackling needle clean up, aiming to make the city safer for families.
A Clean Cambridge formed after a toddler got poked by a used needle in late September, which pushed parents to demand more action for kids’ safety.
“It was all over the mom group and it just took off from there,” said Mary Jane Sherman, one of the administrators of A Clean Cambridge.
“Everyone was up and arms about over this and said enough is enough. The city is not recognizing this problem and we need to do something about it.”
Sherman mentioned that since A Clean Cambridge launched two weeks ago, their Facebook page has gained more than 2,400 members, many sharing their own stories and worries about needles and addiction around Cambridge.
Community clean up
About a dozen volunteers showed up for their first community clean up last weekend.
“It was a very positive experience,” Sherman said. “It’s a group of people who come together and want to make the community a better place.”
They began at Central Public School in Galt, then moved on to Central Park and cleaned a trail leading to Soper Park.
Sherman said they picked up 100 needles during the three hours out on Oct. 21. Luckily, none were found on school grounds.
The majority of needles were discovered behind the Region of Waterloo Public Health building, where free needle programs run as part of harm reduction efforts.
The group plans another clean up on Oct. 29 at 1 p. m., meeting at St. Anne Catholic Elementary School in Cambridge.
Outreach task force
The region’s Community Outreach Task Force met on Oct. 20, where Gary Dyke, City Manager for Cambridge, shared some early steps the city is taking addressing public safety concerns.
A lot involves partnering with groups like Region of Waterloo Public Health for cleanup help, coordinating with police and first responders, and continuing work with The Bridges shelter.
“We will continue to try and address the root cause and help those directly struggling with addiction,” Dyke said in a release.
Other measures include installing security cameras downtown and along trails, giving sharp disposal containers to local businesses, responding quickly when people report needle debris on public or private property, plus patrolling parks regularly for discarded needles.
