FAIRMONT– The Fairmont Police Department is asking community members to come together and help out their neighbors during the upcoming city-wide cleaning dates

Chief Michael Hunter shared information on the Good Neighbor Project “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” at the city council meeting on Monday.

Hunter cited the number of ordinance violations that are typically printed as part of the police reports.

“A lot of times it’s people calling in concerned about certain things they see within the community. Often times when we go talk to people we find out it’s much more than that,” Hunter said.

He said it’s typically not something negative, but just that people need help. He shared that someone with long grass may have a broken lawnmower.

The department’s fairly new position, Community Service Officer, which is filled by retired officer Brad Buhmann, responds to those calls.

Captain Eric Tonder, who oversees the CSO, said “We try to work for results. It’s not about writing tickets or fine money. It’s about getting the compliance.”

He said sometimes people don’t have the funds or the means to dispose of something because they’re without a truck or trailer.

“We always try to work with those people. This was just a good opportunity to see how it would go with the spring clean-up in Fairmont,” Tonder said.

The city-wide clean up is Tuesday, June 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, June 18 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. At that time, people can use the two coupons they received in the mail to dispose of larger items.

Hunter said that if someone isn’t planning on using their coupons they can drop them off at city hall, the Humane Society or the police department.

“We’ll gather them and help some people in need who may have gotten behind on some things,” Hunter said.

Aside from donating un-needed coupons people can also help out by volunteering their time to assist a neighbor in need. Anyone who needs help getting rid of items is encouraged to call the police department at 507-238-4481 by noon on June 13 to schedule a time with Tonder or Buhmann for volunteers to come collect items.

Volunteers can offer manual labor including picking items up, or offering use of a pick-up truck or trailer. Tonder said it’s a busy day for the city’s street department and city crews and that their resources will be expended which is why volunteer’s help is appreciated. Items will be brought to the Martin County Highway Department at 1200 Marcus St. in Fairmont.

Tonder stressed that this doesn’t mean that people can put items on the curb and hope someone will pick them up. Volunteers also won’t be going into homes to collect items or clean out houses.

“We’re dealing mainly with things in public view or of public concern,” Tonder said.

Right now the department is focusing on getting the program started and helping citizens in need, but Tonder hopes this could motivate someone to help others at any time.

“If I’m running out to the tree dump and notice a bunch of branches bundled in my neighbor’s yard, I can take them. It’s not a hardship on me and they might not have a trailer,” Tonder said.

He said even if people don’t volunteer or have coupons to donate, maybe they can pay it forward by helping out a neighbor or someone they know who might a hand.

As for the longevity of the program, Hunter said, “Any program that helps members of our community is something that I’d like to see continue to develop. If there’s a volunteer group or other entities that want to assist with making this a sustainable program for our community I’d be more than happy to work with them.”