BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On Saturday, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn launched a program that will serve to clean up neighborhoods with the assistance of individuals ordered to complete community service hours. Known as Operation WIN, the program kicked off Saturday in Southeast Seminole Heights.

Mayor Buckhorn said this is the first time the program has been implemented. It will concentrate on the inner city. On Saturday, the clean up took place at 4405 North 10th Street, between Chelsea and Emma Streets.

“We are partnering with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Salvation Army. We are tackling code enforcement violations by cleaning alleys, rights of ways, abandoned properties, and foreclosed properties where people are illegally dumping garbage, furniture and other trash.

“We are going to do this once a month and it will help improve the neighborhoods and will give those who have a debt to pay to society to pay it in a productive way,” Mayor Buckhorn said.

The program is being operated through the City of Tampa Code Enforcement. The program will focus on a different neighborhood each month. The neighborhood groups will also take an active role in the operation.

WIN is an acronym for “Working in Neighborhoods.” It is slated to improve the quality of life for residents throughout the city and ties in with Mayor Buckhorn’s plan to build strong neighborhoods.

Mayor Buckhorn further stated that the Environmental Detective position in East Tampa is still operational. The position, currently held by Detective Jason DeGagne, concentrates on enforcing illegal dumping laws.

Anyone wishing to obtain more information about the program can contact Code Enforcement and Tax Director Jake Slater at 274-8380, or via email at  jake.slater@tampgov.net.