Home › Forums › Open Discussion › Highpoint kids at the bus stop and trash
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September 20, 2014 at 2:09 am #612735
BlankParticipantThis year there is a bus stop on the corner of my property at Raymond & 32nd/Lanham. Last year it was kitty corner on that little park, that actually has trash cans oddly enough. There are probably about 30 kids that stand here every morning. When I walk my dogs I see several of them eating and drinking while waiting for the bus. I’ve noticed a influx of trash, snack bags, chip bags, and juice boxes, and water bottles not only thrown into the lower part of my yard where they stand, but also now tossed up to the upper part in the bushes.
I’m not sure how to approach this.
I don’t know why the bus stop changed to be across the street and if I can appeal that somehow? Or some neighborhood association I can contact even though I’m technically not part of the highpoint community housing since I’m right on the border. The only thing I can think of is planting some nicely worded signs out there asking people not to throw their trash in my yard, but that doesn’t seem like it will do much, and may even encourage it more.
Does anybody have any thoughts or experience with ways to approach this?
Thanks for any feedback.
September 20, 2014 at 2:42 am #813791
auParticipanti can’t tell from your post but is there a garbage can for them to use onsite?
if/when there is one i would try the direct approach. Very kindly, very sincerely tell them to put their garbage in the can please. Also tell them to make sure to secure the lid so the crows won’t pull it all back out. When you say that last part it shows that you expect that of course they will throw their garbage away, then they might surprise you and do it. Also you can now divert the conversation to crows being messy so it doesn’t seem like your accusing anybody of anything. Be engaging and friendly.
Thank everybody, smile, walk away
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If you need any tips on how to go about this you could watch Legally Blonde I and II…
September 20, 2014 at 3:04 am #813792
BlankParticipantNo my house is on the corner so it takes both sides of the bus stop. There are no trash cans there, so it’s obvious it’s not a crow problem even if I were to try to blame it on that. When I do put my trash out on Tues, it’s up by my driveway, far away from the bus stop.
September 20, 2014 at 3:27 am #813793
metrognomeParticipantI’d try au’s suggestion; if the situation doesn’t improve, report the problem to their school. If it is a Metro bus stop, they likely won’t put in a ‘trash receptacle’ unless there is a shelter, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
September 20, 2014 at 6:46 pm #813794
BlankParticipantSorry I think I forgot to mention, this is a bus stop for school kids.
September 20, 2014 at 7:11 pm #813795
dhgParticipantBlank: The crow story is a diversion, a way to put things indirectly, rather than directly. It’s better to tell them that the darn crows are strewing trash around the bus stop and please be mindful to not leave anything where crows can get it.
That just nicer than “Get off my lawn”
(and I’m not blonde!)
September 20, 2014 at 8:48 pm #813796
seaopgalParticipantBlank, you could try calling the school district and/or their bus contractor and ask about the route change. It might help your to know know why it was made, for safety, efficiency, etc., and you could tell them the impact on your property and ask their advice.
You might consider placing a garbage can at the stop, with a polite sign, maybe one of those heavy decorative cans with a liner that won’t blow away. I know it’s not your responsibility, but if even half of the litter ends up in the bin that’s less for you pick out of your hedge.
If a can isn’t feasible for the location, go out and pick up the litter when the kids are waiting for the bus. Show them that someone has to pick up what they drop and that you care about your property. Engage them in a friendly way and as you feel comfortable.
Good luck! Litter is annoying. We’re in the midst of the Junction construction zone and are coping with the construction workers’ after-shift snacks and drinks … funny how often the empty cups and bags fall out of their vehicles and into the gutter.
September 20, 2014 at 8:59 pm #813797
tttParticipantFrom my experience with the Sps transportation dept, it may not help much to go to them first. However, I’d call them, make a complaint to start a trail, then ask the kids and parents (if there are any out there) to please throw their trash in the bus trash can (there is one right by the driver) when they get on the bus,. If those two things don’t work, then take pictures of the problem and call the local police re: littering. Explain that you believe it is the kids getting the bus, you have pictures of the problem, you have already tried to solve it by calling Sps transportation and talking to the kids in person. Maybe they need a friendly local police reminder that there is a litterbug fine.
September 20, 2014 at 9:19 pm #813798
StringCheeseParticipantI believe, perhaps naively, that if a trash can was placed on the corner that 75% of the kid trash would go into it. It’s when cans are across the street, down the block, etc. that the instinct to just drop it kicks in. The easier it is to do the right thing, the more likely it is to happen. Simple human nature for all, not just kids. I also believe that a friendly word or two might help as well.
September 20, 2014 at 10:29 pm #813799
singularnameParticipantI *love* au’s suggestion from start to finish! :->
September 21, 2014 at 9:43 am #813800
trickycooljParticipantI wish I could believe if there was a can that the HP kids would put their trash in it. They dump their trash as they’re walking to school every morning. Watched one kid about 12-14 years old just drop a yogurt cup on the ground like that’s what you do with them. Seriously almost yelled at him to pick his trash up. The ice cream man parks on my block every day, rain or shine, summer and winter, and I get chip bags and ice cream wrappers blown into my yard constantly. You can potentially write to the HP HOA/OSA or Seattle Housing If you believe all the kids reside in the neighborhood but our landscaping staff is already pretty understaffed to even take care of the grounds very well. The admins from all 3 orgs are very active on Nextdoor.com and it might be another way to reach out.
September 21, 2014 at 3:59 pm #813801
GinaParticipantThe West Seattle/Madison crowd is unable to notice trash cans once they are in a four block radius of Jack in the Box and McDonald’s and Safeway. Even in cars, the stuff gets tossed out the window.
September 21, 2014 at 5:18 pm #813802
Talaki34ParticipantI do not believe that just placing a garbage receptacle will alleviate the problem. I would start with a letter home to the parents of the students that use the bus stop informing them of the situation. If there is little or no impact on the behavior, maybe taking away some Saturday mornings for neighbor cleanup might be appropriate. Get them up early and have a couple of volunteers from the SPD, environmental groups, neighbors and the parents on site. Treat it like Adopt a Highway with penalties.
Have the kids plan and execute beatification of the site in question. Planters, flowers in the strip, painting the drains for public awareness and the placing a bench so others may enjoy their efforts could help them to understand how everyone’s actions affect each other.
Homeowners would have to get involved too. They could take pictures with the kids and maybe a few might willing to document the project. Cookies, drinks, sandwiches and fruit for working bodies would be a great gesture of support from the neighbors. Getting dirty with the kids would be even better. Few things speak louder to a child than praise or genuine interest from an adult.
The initial objective would be to underscore this is not a joke and there are consequences for ill-mannered behavior. However, during the course of the project there would need to be a defined movement away from behavior correction to personal, community and environmental responsibility. This is where support from the, school, neighborhood and community group volunteers would be essential. When the project is completed, put up a little plaque that lists the names of those that participated so they can see it every day and it can become a source of community pride and environmental awareness.
Getting everyone involved in the cleanup/maintenance of the area, making it educational and relevant to the kids/homeowners might make a difference for everyone. After several times of cleaning up after themselves and others (Especially after having invested personal time and energy) putting in a city garbage receptacle might work.
September 22, 2014 at 2:19 am #813803
singularnameParticipantThis turns out to not just be about kids. Was in a vehicle with a new acquaintance the other day. I unwrapped some gum he’d just bought since he was driving–some cellophane and some foil–and when I asked if he had a trash thingy he took it from me and rolled down [archaic] the window. I kinda freaked and snatched it back and put it the trash in my pocket, to later be unloaded into a change box to later be separated from the change and put into the trash. It was weird.
September 22, 2014 at 10:25 pm #813804
auParticipanti don’t get littering
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but i would at least give the kids a chance by procuring them a garbage can somehow
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i have a question for the original OP,
how long do you estimate the kids are standing around the bus stop in the morning?
i have another fun idea but it depends on your response…
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but if anything i think the direct approach may see results.(its an easy first step) tell them the problem and ask them if they have any solutions…the key is to remain completely casual and calm
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let us know how it goes, litter bugs are a nuisance, particularly cigarette butts that’s a whole ‘nother thread,(see its not just hp kids)
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:)
September 22, 2014 at 10:37 pm #813805
Ms. SparklesParticipantThreadjacking about to commence…
When I was a pre-teen (probably 10 or 11) I was walking along drinking a soda, when I finished it I waited until I came upon a trash can to dispose of it. I don’t know if didn’t litter because a can convienently appeared or not, but I never littered a day after that because of the actions of a kind and observant stranger.
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An elderly gentleman appearently witnessed my actions and took the time to cross the street to commend and thank me for not just dropping the soda can – he actually shook my hand and thanked me. At that moment I was too immature / suprised to react with proper appreciation for his appreciation, but I remember (and NEVER litter) to this day.
September 23, 2014 at 5:00 am #813806
KenParticipantIt is my corner too.
The litter problem is much older than these kids.
SHA/HOA landscape crews pick up the litter and wind blown/crow picked trash on the SHA/HOA side of the street every week just like the SHA crews pickup the abandoned mattresses, dressers, broken chairs, tvs as well as the beer cans, bottles and assorted McTrash. (SHA has a pickup and driver that pulls bicycles and various stuff from the drainage swales and the pond.) Those of us on the other side of the street pick it up ourselves (actually I pay my step-grandson to do it). The lighter items and McTrash depend on the prevailing winds and the energy of the crows and seagulls as to which side of the street the preponderance of the debris ends up on.
The school bus stop has been on that corner longer than every house that can be seen from that corner except for yours and mine. It has migrated occasionally over the years to one side of the corner or another. It was a city bus stop on the NE corner with a bench long before the redevelopment. (and before the street was narrowed to 21ft from 45ft as well as before the ever shrinking bus service here was accepted as the norm).
I will see if I can get a couple of kids to pick it up when they come asking for odd jobs next week.
The bus stop is really a lot better than it has been in the not so distant past since the older kids take the metro now.
September 26, 2014 at 12:29 pm #813807
DunnoParticipantThis would be a great topic for teachers to take up since many don’t get this education at home. I could be as simple as starting at the K age and continuing through High School. Field trips to our local dumps, pick it up field trips, ect. Need to show what happens when we don’t. Maybe a gross rat infested area would get the point across. Just a thought!
September 26, 2014 at 4:53 pm #813808
maplesyrupParticipantYou could find one of the bigger kids, or someone who seems to be the leader, pull them aside and nicely ask for their cooperation in helping keep the area clean. Explain why it’s crummy for them too if their bus stop is full of litter.
September 26, 2014 at 6:00 pm #813809
skeeterParticipantI live in HP and spend a lot of time in the playgrounds with my kiddo. My observation is the majority of littering is done by kids who recently moved to the U.S. I see the same candy wrappers, juice boxes, etc that you guys see. The families are coming from countries where, presumably, there is not a need or desire to not litter. The problem is the parents are allowing it to happen. I watch as children litter and the parents do nothing about it.
For my part, I often start picking up garbage at the playground and encourage children to do the same. Some help and some don’t.
My opinion is that we’ve got to educate the parents, not the kids. If we are able to convince the parents that littering is not appropriate, then the parents can teach their kids accordingly. I don’t know how to teach the parents though. I’m uncomfortable approaching an adult and lecturing him/her on why we should not litter.
September 26, 2014 at 6:57 pm #813810
maplesyrupParticipantMaybe you could say, “hi, it looks like you might be new around here so just so you know, it’s considered uncool to leave garbage on the ground. There’s a garbage can over there.” And smile.
Doesn’t have to be a lecture.
September 26, 2014 at 7:00 pm #813811
JanSParticipantnot just High Point, for sure. I live just north of the Hiawatha tennis courts. It’s the direct path from WSHS to Safeway, JITB, Met. Market, other food sources. They walk up the street, buy their food, walk back to school eating, and then simply deposit the wrappers in bushes, on the ground, wherever they feel like. I find it behind my building, in front of my building at times. These are older kids who know better. But..respect…not…it’s not their house, their property..
September 27, 2014 at 9:23 pm #813812
BlankParticipantHey everybody, sorry for the late reply, long week. This week hasn’t been so bad with the trash, although it is there. I also noticed that they are ripping off the large palms from plants on my property right there also. That area is a bit overgrown, I’m tempted to just rip everything out so there’s no foliage there at all and see if that helps.
au- There are a few different groups that wait for different buses. I’m not sure in total how long they are there, I would say between when I notice the earliest showing up to when it’s full blown packed is about 30min at most?
I would like to contact the school if I can find out which one exactly is tied to my corner and ask for help to see if they are willing to talk to the kids or contact parents about this. I also like maplesyrup’s suggestion. I notice some of the earliest kids out there are 2 brothers who appear older than most there. I might go out and approach them and say something. But what is their incentive to keep other kids in check really? We’ll see.
Skeeter- I see it all over too when walking my dogs. I know what you mean. I’m not part of the same HOA that you are since I’m right on the border. I know they have crews come pick stuff up, but maybe you could approach whoever is in charge and see about a neighborhood wide appeal to parents?
Ken-Which house are you in if you don’t mind me asking?
September 28, 2014 at 2:59 pm #813813
KenParticipantnext door on 32nd. The older house with the carport with too much crap in it. retired/disabled. my cell number gets posted here in computer repair topics
3511132 :)
The kids are in several different schools and there is another stop at the other end of the block. That one is for different schools than this one. At least one private religious school picks up here and about mid block.
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