Special to the American Press

Online signup is underway for people, businesses and service groups to volunteer to pick up litter in Calcasieu Parish.

The annual effort will take place April 20-28. It will straddle the Keep Louisiana Beautiful program’s “Love the Boot Week” statewide cleanup initiative — and Earth Day, which will be April 22.

The week-long “Pick It Up Spring Cleanup” is coordinated by the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury.

Spring Cleanup is for people, businesses and organizations that want to get involved and make a positive impact in the parish.

Volunteers are encouraged to sign up in groups — such as teams of family members, neighbors, friends, coworkers, church groups or community organizations. All volunteers will be supplied with free trash bags, gloves, pickers and vests.

The volunteers will gather at various sites in Calcasieu Parish designated areas with litter issues.

“We all want to live in a clean, litter-free Calcasieu Parish,” said Police Jury President Anthony Bartie. “Trash is a problem in our parish — but it’s a preventable one.”

To register a group, visit pickitupcalcasieu.com or call 337-493-LITR (5487).

“Areas throughout the Parish are available for cleanup, and the times and locations are flexible,” said Assistant Director of Public Health Services Wyvette Pryor-Cousin. “Now, it’s easier than ever to get involved.”

Litter and illegal dumping are serious issues in Calcasieu Parish. The parish has stepped up enforcement to target these issues, with fines ranging from $250 to $5,000.