C.A.U.T.I.O.N. Program
Citizens Against Unwanted Trash in our Neighborhoods (C.A.U.T.I.O.N.) | 
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The C.A.U.T.I.O.N. Program was developed by the Montclair Fire Department Code Enforcement Unit and introduced to our community in June of 1996. The C.A.U.T.I.O.N. Cleanup Program brings together property owners, residents, school staff, service clubs, and City personnel who physically work to create a better overall appearance throughout our multifamily neighborhoods. On the morning of the cleanup, participants are divided into teams who are responsible for completing the following tasks:
- Trim trees and shrubs
- Paint garages, block walls, and portions of buildings
- Remove graffiti from trash bins, buildings, etc.
- Stencil addresses on buildings to assist emergency service responders
- Remove weeds and perform other landscape improvements throughout alleyways and properties.
- Remove large items (couches, appliances, lumber, etc.)
- Paint poles (safety yellow) throughout the alleyways and between apartment buildings.
The City provides all necessary tools, including a 40-foot roll-off bin and a tractor for the event. All volunteers who participate in the cleanup receive a free T-shirt with C.A.U.T.I.O.N. printed on the back, and pizza and soft drinks are provided at the end of the day. In addition to pizza and soft drinks, the youngsters who participate in the cleanup by picking up trash, raking, sweeping, etc., are given free fire hats, stick-on badges, pencils, and rulers.
The C.A.U.T.I.O.N. Program has received additional support and backing from the Montclair Community Collaborative that has expanded the program by setting up booths at each cleanup day to provide information on programs and services offered to the community. In the past, information has been presented by Apple One Employment Agency, House of Ruth, YMCA Child Care, Chaffey College, Project Sister, Bilingual Family Counseling, and the Human Services Department of the City of Montclair.
With 2,985 apartment units throughout the City of Montclair, challenges concerning undesirable tenants entering a neighborhood and deteriorating the appearance of the buildings are common. That is the reason the Code Enforcement Unit continues to take a proactive approach in these areas. The C.A.U.T.I.O.N. Program has proven to be an effective tool in combating appearance violations. It has increased cooperation with apartment owners in dealing with all types of situations, ranging from the correction of property maintenance, to the elimination of problem tenants. The C.A.U.T.I.O.N. Program is an excellent way for Code Enforcement to build rapport with residents throughout the multifamily neighborhoods, leading to the solution of many other concerns and problems in these areas.
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