Through the cleanup initiative started by the Public Safety Committee, West Peoria is looking to strategically place garbage cans/receptacles in the city. West Peoria would like citizen input and participation and is looking for volunteers from businesses and organizations to “adopt a garbage can.” In addition, the city is looking for creative minds to “name the cans!”

Get involved and help keep our city clean. Send your ideas to: office@cityofwestpeoria.com.

Public Safety held a “Walk the Wards” event for the first time in 2021 in June for litter pickup. Another litter pickup is scheduled for Oct. 2 for Wards 1 and 2. It will begin at 9 a.m. with supplies for Ward 1 picked up at Calvin Coolidge School and Ward 2 at the City Garage. Cleanup for Wards 3 and 4 will soon be scheduled. This is a benefit to the entire city and keeps the city looking the best to the west of Peoria.

West Peoria’s new community officer, Deputy Drake Hart, presented at the September Residents’ meeting. He discussed a report on criminal activity in the area that included several unlocked vehicles that were broken into. Deputy Hart stressed locking your vehicles and keeping yard lights on at night.

Deputy Brandon Witt, K-9 Division of the Sheriff’s Office, will be guest speaker at Neighbor Watch, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13 at City Hall.

Boy Scout Troop 11 will again be selling butter braids and Christmas wreaths from Oct. 18 to Nov. 6. To order, contact any Troop 11 Scout or Scoutmaster, Bob DeSutter at 369-8078.

The Western Ave. Greenway is hosting a Fund Raiser from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 9. The Greenway is the property that borders West Peoria from Main Street to Calendar Avenue and presents a friendly, inviting welcome for people to our community. The Greenway is funded by donations. This year’s event is planned for Westminster Fellowship Hall. Donations are $35 for adults with children under 12 free accompanied by adult.

The October Residents’ Association meeting is scheduled for Oct. 21. For further details, go to www.cityofwestpeoria.org. More details are also listed for other upcoming activities including Octoberfest and West Peoria’s Christmas tree lighting.

Remember that there is no open burning because of the distress it causes many individuals. Recreational burning is allowed in approved burn pits; reports of violations may be made to Peoria County Sheriff at 672-6011. Also, the season and increase of leaves falling cause problems with accumulation in street. Do not get leaves out of your yards into the streets because of the problems of slippery streets and clogged storm sewers. Alleyways are the responsibility of homeowners who need to clean their areas of weeds and debris including animal waste.

You will see three new Electric buses in our area starting at the end of October. They are environmentally friendly, quiet and used to help bring attention to our bus service. One of the buses used to help educate residents was funded from the Wallace substation. The buses are wrapped to bring attention to this new asset by the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District.

Clare Howard, Community Word co-owner and managing editor, is moving from the area and from work on the Community Word. I respect and thank her for her contributions to West Peoria.