Falling Leaves, Steepened Bills: New Yorkers Must Clear the Way for Street Sweepers
As fall arrives in full force across the five boroughs, a different kind of storm is brewing – one that has nothing to do with rain or snow. The city's trusty street sweepers are on the prowl, armed with mechanical brooms and insatiable appetites for leaves.
In fact, the sanitation department has deployed an additional 364 street sweepers along new routes this autumn, a staggering 31% increase from their usual weekly haul of 1,162. Each sweeper can hold up to 1,500 pounds of debris – a number that's typically made up of trash bags, rat carcasses, and the occasional whitefish from Coney Island. But with leaves taking center stage this time of year, crews are having to make hundreds of "short dumps" every week as their mechanical brooms become bloated.
It's not just about aesthetics; clearing leaves off the street is a crucial step in preventing storm drains from clogging and causing serious flooding. In fact, experts warn that when Hurricane Ida struck in 2021, increased trash on the roads led to severe flooding in some areas – a phenomenon that can be avoided by moving cars during alternate side parking.
So don't get caught with your car parked on the street and expect to avoid a $65 fine. Move over, and let the street sweepers do their thing. After all, as one sanitation department spokesperson put it, "Richard Wright wrote that the gale of autumn swept the trees clean of leaves and drew the hills near, but on New York City streets, the only thing drawn near by a leafless tree is a clogged storm drain."
As fall arrives in full force across the five boroughs, a different kind of storm is brewing – one that has nothing to do with rain or snow. The city's trusty street sweepers are on the prowl, armed with mechanical brooms and insatiable appetites for leaves.
In fact, the sanitation department has deployed an additional 364 street sweepers along new routes this autumn, a staggering 31% increase from their usual weekly haul of 1,162. Each sweeper can hold up to 1,500 pounds of debris – a number that's typically made up of trash bags, rat carcasses, and the occasional whitefish from Coney Island. But with leaves taking center stage this time of year, crews are having to make hundreds of "short dumps" every week as their mechanical brooms become bloated.
It's not just about aesthetics; clearing leaves off the street is a crucial step in preventing storm drains from clogging and causing serious flooding. In fact, experts warn that when Hurricane Ida struck in 2021, increased trash on the roads led to severe flooding in some areas – a phenomenon that can be avoided by moving cars during alternate side parking.
So don't get caught with your car parked on the street and expect to avoid a $65 fine. Move over, and let the street sweepers do their thing. After all, as one sanitation department spokesperson put it, "Richard Wright wrote that the gale of autumn swept the trees clean of leaves and drew the hills near, but on New York City streets, the only thing drawn near by a leafless tree is a clogged storm drain."
i mean dont get me wrong im all for keeping our streets clean but come on can't we just let the sweepers do their thing? and btw did you know that leaf-filled storm drains can cause flooding?? it's like, so not worth risking a $65 fine 
u have to move ur car during alternate side parking and i'm like "good luck with that" lol but seriously just a heads up
So I think this whole situation is kinda funny. On one hand, it's great that the city is taking steps to prepare for the leaves and prevent flooding. But on the other hand, 31% more street sweepers? That just feels like a lot of resources being wasted. Like, can't we just find a better way to deal with all the leaf-y stuff? Maybe invest in some fancy leaf-cleaning tech or something?
. I mean, come on, it's autumn! It's supposed to be beautiful outside, not some drizzly mess that you gotta worry about parking your car.
. We'd just clear our driveways and walk around 'em. Nowadays, it's like they're coming for us... constantly 
. And don't even get me started on the fines for not moving your car during alternate side parking 
. $65?! That's highway robbery! I swear, city living is getting crazier by the day 
. But seriously, gotta respect the street sweepers doin' their thing. We need clean streets, especially with all that leafy goodness fallin' from those trees 
...
this article better warn people about the fines or at least put a "leaf-notice" system in place. just kidding, sorta 
meanwhile, moving cars during alternate side parking is still the best way to avoid flooding and fines 
.
. I mean, I get it, street sweepers gotta do their job, but 31% more sweepers? That's like having an extra 364 dudes out there clearing leaves all day. Not exactly the most efficient way to spend our tax dollars 
. It's like, can't we just use some of that leaf-fighting tech or something? I heard they're using old-school brooms now... what, no innovation in sanitation