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Philadelphia Launches 'AlleyGators' Program To Clean Private Alleys

The effort tackles safety risks in private alleys with limited capacity across roughly 16,000 passages, leaving upkeep to residents.

Overview

  • The initiative, which launched Monday in Kensington during the city's 13‑week cleanliness surge, opened a one‑stop online form for residents to request alley cleanups.
  • About 40 workers from the city’s Future Track job‑training program will focus on alley work with support from the Community Life Improvement Program, using existing budget funds.
  • The city plans to clear roughly 300 alleys per year through AlleyGators, with each location limited to one cleanup per year.
  • Officials framed the work as a safety measure because clogged alleys can fuel fires and block access for residents and first responders.
  • City crews have cleared more than 3,000 alleys since 2023, and the new program formalizes requests for the far larger stock of private alleys across Philadelphia.