Sweat with a Vet program helps fight overgrown properties
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - From illegal dumping to nuisance property cases, the Richmond County Marshal’s Office saw roughly 1,400 cases of complaints last year.
The marshal’s office is teaming up with Veterans for Clean Water to start a new program called “Sweat with a Vet” to help people who struggle with yard maintenance due to financial constraints or physical limitations.
“This is not a government problem. This is not a tax-dollar-driven problem. This is a community problem,” said Truck Carlson with Veterans for Clean Water.
Carlson says Sweat with a Vet was created in collaboration with the marshal’s office in their bi-monthly meetings where they address cases across the county.
“We see it every month. All these property owners who are facing serious fines and possible jail time,” said Carlson. “They’re either too old, too infirm, or too poor to have their properties maintained properly.”
Together with the marshal’s office and volunteers, Sweat with a Vet cleans up properties that do not fall into code compliance.
“It’s not Better Homes and Garden level, but it’s getting people back into code compliance,” said Carlson.
Sweat with a Vet hosted its first cleanup in March.
“As he (the homeowner) and I were talking about what these veteran volunteers could do, I could see him wringing his hands, he was obviously worried about something,” said Carlson. “And at the end of it all, he just looked at me and said, ‘How much is this going to cost?’ And it was a great relief for him for me just to say nothing. This is on us. We’re doing this because it needs to be done.”
Carlson says the team needs more hands on deck to help.
“Community involvement is critical,” he said. “If you’re waiting for the government to move in, you’re just going to wait too long, it’s never going to happen. The overarching goal is to have more community organizations involved in the community, making the community safer.”
Sweat with a Vet is hosting its next cleanup on Thursday at 9 a.m.
If you are interested in volunteering, you can the Richmond County Marshal’s Office or Carlson at Savannahriverkeeper.org.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
