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The Sanitation Department in New York City recently launched a public humiliation campaign aimed at shaming businesses and residences into proper garbage disposal by posting pictures of offenders on their “Hall of Shame” online. However, some victims of this campaign claim that it is ineffective and merely a display of futility. One example cited was Robert Ceraso, the owner of a bar in the East Village, who only became aware of his business being featured on the Hall of Shame after being asked by a journalist.

Ceraso expressed his disbelief that the Sanitation Department vets all citizen-snapped pictures before posting them, as claimed. He stated that the picture of garbage outside his bar was taken on a day when the streets were closed, making it impossible for a garbage truck to pick up the load. Although Ceraso acknowledged the overflow as a mistake on his part, he questioned whether the Sanitation Department was taking advantage of minor missteps to maintain the appearance of cracking down on dirty neighbors.

After inquiries by The Post, the Sanitation Department updated their Hall of Shame by removing business names and exact addresses from the photos. Although Goodnight Sonny’s image remained online, the bar now has plausible deniability. However, other businesses have not been as fortunate, with some being publicly shamed on social media for consistently failing to properly dispose of their garbage. One coffee shop in particular, Blank Street Coffee, has accumulated numerous fines totaling $14,000 for this offense.

While it remains unclear whether the Hall of Shame has been effective in improving trash disposal practices, the Department of Sanitation has expressed that its purpose is to humiliate offenders into cleaning up their streets and sidewalks. The Hall of Shame was implemented in July to encourage New Yorkers to report the filthiest residential and commercial property owners. Repeat offenders were targeted in this campaign, with the most egregious offenders labeled as “Sidewalk Slobs” who refuse to do their part in the battle against filth and rats.

Despite the Department of Sanitation’s efforts, it is unclear whether the Hall of Shame has led to any significant improvements in trash disposal practices. The agency’s assistant commissioner of public affairs, Robin Levine, explained that not every submission is deemed worthy of the Hall of Shame, and each photo is vetted before being posted. New Yorkers are encouraged to continue reporting littering complaints through 311, and summonses are issued to offenders when appropriate. The ultimate goal of the Hall of Shame campaign is to address the issue of improper garbage disposal by publicly shaming offenders and encouraging them to take responsibility for their actions.

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