Making Your City Streets Sparkle and Shine

by Rob J. Quality Links

Ever been to a city where the streets are filthy and just look grungy? If so, you know what a bad impression that likely gave you about that community. By contrast, if you live in or have ever visited San Francisco, you no doubt have noticed how clean and litter-free the streets are. That spic ‘n span look doesn’t happen naturally, though.

While many communities have their own street divisions whose sweepers routinely clean the streets for them, the image-conscious city leaders have outsourced services for street cleaning San Francisco.

Many Reasons for Outsourcing

One of the biggest reasons is the expense. It costs millions of dollars for a city the size of San Francisco to own, operate and maintain a fleet of air vacuum sweepers and broom sweeper trucks. It also costs money to employ the staff to operate those vehicles, not to mention all the other benefits that go with employing people: things like insurance, paid time off, and other miscellaneous benefits/perks. BY not having those expenses, it cuts the city’s budget and saves taxpayer dollars.

By streamlining and downsizing local government, it helps the government become more efficient and effective. And it allows those who run the city, the ability to steer the boat, rather than row it.

Another advantage of outsourcing the street cleaning in San Francisco is that if there would be an immediate or urgent need for something specific to be done, a private company can provide that service 24/7. With public sector workers, that is not always possible.

Hiring Considerations

If you’re in local government and are considering privatizing services such as street cleaning, here are some things you’ll want to ask of any service you’re considering hiring.
If you have city parking lots and multi-level parking structures, you should ask if they’re equipped to clean those, as well.
Is their staff well-trained?
Are they covered by worker’s compensation insurance?
Besides English, do they speak any other language that might be spoken in your area?
Are they uniformed and professional?
What kinds of equipment do they have? A truly diverse company that is equipped to handle any situation should have equipment ranging from individual crew members with backpack blowers, to air vacuum trucks that can easily handle light debris like cigarette butts, leaves, bottles, cans and paper, to heavy-duty sweeper trucks that can rid the streets of dirt, gravel, compacted leaves, sand, and other heavy debris.
You may also want to ask them if they’re capable of pressure- and power-washing municipal buildings, statues, and/or other city-owned properties.
Find out what hours of the day do they do municipal cleaning jobs. If it’s during the day, that could present a problem with all the vehicles on the road. Or do they clean streets during the night time and overnight hours when most cars are off the streets? Do they charge a premium or additional price for cleaning during those off-hours?
Ask them how long of a contract they require and if customer satisfaction is guaranteed. Ask them to provide you with references from other customers.

If you do your due diligence and ask these kinds of questions you should be as satisfied as those who have outsourced the street cleaning of San Francisco.