MEMPHIS, Tenn. — There is a push for change in Memphis, as people prepare for a day of service in Orange Mound on May 18, 2024. As part of the effort, neighbors are seeking solutions to combat blight.
According to the Memphis Data Hub, there are more than 15,000 active code violations across the city of Memphis, and in the area surrounding Saratoga Avenue and Grand Street, it is not long before you see a house boarded up.
This is where the Orange Mound Blight Patrol comes in. Over the past few months the group has banded together to pick up trash in the neighborhood. May 18th they will be tackling the Saratoga Grand intersection starting at 9 a.m. and going until 11 a.m.
Prior to the pickup, ABC24 crews saw trash litter the streets and sidewalks, from empty soda cans, to discarded tires, furniture, even pants.
Warren Banner, Captain of the Orange Mound Blight Patrol, said the group was founded to change the narrative of the Orange Mound community, not just tackling blight - but crime as well.
“There are people that go out, and dump stuff on the curb. They dump everything on the curb and that’s wrong. That’s making the community look bad," said Banner. "When I see the news, everyone is talking about blight. So me and my team, we go out and clean the neighborhoods up."
Those who would like to get involved this weekend can just RSVP by calling 901-340-3318. The cleanup will happen at the Saratoga-Grand intersection from 9-11 a.m. on May 18th.