A two-day cleanup of Robertson Crescent by volunteers with the Aldergrove-based Earth Ninjas non-profit uncovered more evidence of drinking and driving, picking up dozens of discarded beer cans and alcohol bottles, as well as more than 100 empty beer boxes, all dumped in the ditches of the rural road between 240th and 248th Streets.
Earth Ninjas founder Jocelyn Titus called it a “staggering amount of litter.”
“Drinking and driving is heavy on Robertson Crescent,” Titus commented.
“Nothing can be done about it unless [someone is] caught in the act, so I’ve been told by the police.”
The cleanup was held March 13th and March 17th.
Titus said said the problem of people drinking, and discarding their empty cans and bottles while driving, has been “plaguing” the street, describing it as ” an ongoing issue since I’ve started cleaning up the community.”
“A few of the residents along Robertson Crescent have made it clear to myself they notice the tossed [beer] boxes,” Titus told the Langley Advance Times.
READ ALSO: VIDEO: 320 pounds of litter collected from Aldergrove road in two hours
ICBC stats show that stretch of Robertson averages close to seven serious crashes a year, recording 33 casualty crashes involving injury or fatality at the intersections of 240th and 248th over five years ending in 2022. The figures don’t indicate how many crashes involved drinking and driving.
By comparison, the nearby intersection of 264th Street and the Trans-Canada Highway, the worst intersection in the Lower Mainland for crashes, averaged more than 117 serious crashes a year over the same period.
Earth Ninjas next Robertson Crescent cleanup will be on Sept 22, 2024 in honour of Titus’ stepdad Dave Brett, who was struck and killed by a tree during a walk along Robertson Crescent in 2020.
“This clean-up effort truly exemplifies the importance of taking action to preserve our environment,” said Titus.
“By coming together and taking responsibility for our surroundings, we can make a tangible difference in enhancing the quality of life for everyone in our neighborhood. Everyone should be responsible for their property lines including ditches. We all need to step up and be better. “
READ ALSO: VIDEO: 3,300 cigarette butts picked from downtown Aldergrove
For more information or to get involved in future Earth Ninjas community initiatives, contact Titus at Earthninjas604@gmail.com, or visit the website at https://earthninjas.ca/ or the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/earthninjas/.