Garbage Police on Base: Needed or Not?

Our base has been run down with garbage for as long as I can remember. In fact, when we were told we were going to be posted here I went on a forum and had many military spouses say that certain spots on base were better than others so I worked but my butt off trying to get the RHU (Residential Housing Units) that I wanted.

It was always a surprise to me and other spouses on how some of the house looked more like landfills rather than houses.

Just this year the Base Commander started Operation CleanSweep.

We can now expect more stringent enforcement of Housing rules with the implementation of a three strike policy which will now include informing Unit Chains of Command. Housing also plans on improving the layout of the townsite, adding incentives for more community involvement as well as constructing a new vehicle compound to store RV's, boats and extra vehicles.

I think this has been one the best things that happened to our base. It's kind of sad that some people care so little of their Units. I understand that animals get into the garbage and all that but that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the mess is left after garbage days, cans on the curb, lids in the middle of the street and what has been dug into by animals is left behind, neighbours ignoring the junk hoping someone else will pick it up.

And the garbage isn't the only thing that is eye sore on this base, some of the yards are pretty hard to look at too and I'm sorry to say I've driven by some that look more like slums rather than yards.

Here's my question. Why does it have to take the Base Commander to make your unit to look decent? Where is the pride in having your house look clean?

Correct me if I'm wrong US military spouses but you guys have strict policies on keeping your landscape in order and fines are issued if it's not up to their standards. We should have had that set up years ago!

I'm hoping this will be followed through and I look forward to hearing more about it and seeing the results from it. And of course there are things to help out.

1. Put your garbage in bins with lids so the wild animals don't get into them.
2. If the animals do get into the garbage pick it up before it blows away. DUH!
3. Take the bins off the curb so they don't blow into the street.
4. Follow the garbage disposal regulations. If it not meant for it to go in the trash don't put it out, they won't take it.

Every year the base has contest called Q's in Bloom where people put their green thumbs to work and show off their manicured units. I'm not great at landscaping but I'm willing to try it out this spring.

Hopefully once the snow melts and grass grows the base won't look so much like a landfill but more of a base that we can take pride in.

Something we all should have been doing a long time ago. It's sad that it had to get the Base Commander's attention to get something done.