BALTIMORE, MD — Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Solid Waste crews hit the streets today at 5 a.m. to start cleaning areas of the City damaged during the civil disturbance on Monday, April 27. To clear debris, DPW workers are equipped with dump trucks, tow trucks, bobcats, and street sweepers, as well as shovels.

DPW opened its Emergency Operations Center at 4 a.m. to assess debris removal efforts. Colleagues from the departments of Transportation, Recreation and Parks, and General Services joined this effort.

“During this very difficult time for our City, we will deploy the necessary manpower and resources needed to clean up and support the affected communities,” said DPW Director Rudolph S. Chow, P.E.

By 7 a.m. DPW had already cleared debris from the areas of Fulton Avenue between North Avenue and Division Street, as well as Pennsylvania Avenue between North Avenue and Bloom Street. Areas targeted for cleaning are based on sustained damage and the likelihood that DPW workers can safely executive their cleanup tasks.

Additional cleaning was planned around the Martin Luther King Boulevard and Saratoga Street area, and DPW crews will address the bus loop at Mondawmin Mall as well as the mall parking lot at Gwynn Falls Avenue.

Citizen volunteers are already organizing via social media and neighborhood groups. A 311 category has been added that citizens may use to seek opportunities to volunteer for cleanup duties.

Regular street sweeping routes are suspended today while DPW deploys sweepers to the damaged areas. Trash and recycling collections will occur as regularly scheduled.