Have you noticed that the sidewalks and gutters on Main Street have been a little bit cleaner these past few weeks?
That’s because a group of men in the East End Regional Intervention Court substance abuse program have been working hard to clean litter, leaves and storm drains on Main Street as part of their community service.
“These are guys trying to give back to the society they were taking from,” EERIC resource coordinator Charlene Mascia said.
The clean-up effort began with Bobby Hartmann, who owns Mainstream House, which operates a number of sober houses in Riverhead. Participants in EERIC were looking for community service hours as part of their treatment program, so Hartmann, who is also a member of the Riverhead Business Improvement District Management Association board of directors, presented the idea to the other members of the BID.
“Main Street really has gotten a lot cleaner,” said Ray Pickersgill, Riverhead BID president. “It’s a noticeable difference.”
“It’s a positive thing for the town, and it makes them feel good about themselves,” said Hartmann. “Giving back is an important step on the road to recovery.”
The East End Regional Intervention Court is a Suffolk County court for non-violent substance abusers. Eligible participants are Suffolk County residents with minor charges like unlawful possession of marijuana or petit larceny. The court uses rehabilitation rather than incarceration as a tool for recovery, and part of the program includes earning a number of community service hours.
“At the end of the day, they tell me how good it feels to be doing this,” said Mascia. “They really feel good.”
This week, four men from the program swept leaves and garbage into trash bags in front of Spicy’s. They were talking cheerfully as they worked.
“It feels good to give back to my community,” said Kevin, a Riverhead resident who isn’t in the EERIC program but who has been helping with the clean-up effort voluntarily.
“The businesses appreciate it,” said Ernie, who is a participant in the program. “Joe’s Pizza gave us free slices.”
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