A group of downtown San Diego friends decided to transform their mahjong get-togethers into a once-a-week trash pickup effort. Referencing the Little Italy building they live in, they initially called themselves the Breeza Trashy Ladies.
Simitha Rambiritch said since the group’s inception three months ago they’ve grown from four to 10 members. “We also had some men join, so we changed our name to the Breeza Trashy Neighbors,” she said.
The trash pickups happen every Wednesday morning from 7 to 8 a.m. They focus on the perimeter of the Breeza San Diego mid-rise luxury condominiums in southwest Little Italy.
Rambiritch said the group occasionally polices areas closer to the San Diego Bay or down the railroad tracks into the Marina District.
The multi-generational group of Breeza residents have become close-knit friends with a grassroots mission. Along with Rambiritch, founding members include Debbie Pietrzyk, Kendall Johnston and Margaret Perkins.
“We built a community of everyone who’s just super kind and connected and willing to go the extra mile,” Rambiritch said. “We love where we live. We love downtown. It has issues, of course, like any downtown. But we just try to do our part, and try to keep it clean. I know there are multiple organizations that try to do the same thing. It’s just never, ever enough.”
Downtown resident Grant Wright discovered the group one morning while walking his dog. The CEO and Managing Partner of (W)right On Communications is also a Downtown San Diego Partnership board member.
Right around the time he heard Mayor Todd Gloria speak at a DSDP meeting about citizens being part of the solution for a cleaner San Diego, Wright serendipitously met the Breeza Trashy Neighbors.
“They were neither walking past a problem nor seeking accolades,” Wright said. “It seems to me that by their quiet action they’re simply helping raise the standard of what San Diegans should find acceptable…They are part of the solution.”
Rambiritch estimated the group picks up two to three bags of garbage during each morning outing. They regularly clean up coffee cups and lids, cigarette butts and loose paper items. Sometimes they pick up random items of clothing and shoes. Recently, they disposed of a pair of dirty diapers. Some time ago they were surprised to find a children’s wagon and a mini-fridge.
While doing their morning work, Rambiritch said they’ve met Harbor Police officers who were extremely encouraging. Sometimes neighbors, like Wright, stay in touch and extend support. One stuffy hotel manager advised them to let professionals do the job. A more enlightened manager of a different hotel offered them free breakfast.
There are a pair of apps that downtown residents can use to call for severe trash issues. The city of San Diego has a Get It Done app. The DSDP has an app that goes directly to its Clean & Safe division.
Once when the Breeza Trashy Neighbors were cleaning up behind an area hotel, the spot appeared to be utilized by homeless individuals. Rambiritch said they called it in on Get It Done and the situation soon abated.
“We don’t usually see really bad situations like that,” Rambiritch said. “But, you know, San Diego has so many tourists that come here, and people that come in on the cruise lines. Also, there are local people and families to consider.”
She added that the clean-up effort is ready to expand. T-shirts are planned. And Rambiritch hopes to reach out to groups like the Little Italy Association to help supply the trash bags, gloves and long-handled trash pickers they use. Any donations are welcome.
“It’s actually fun to clean up,” Rambiritch said. “Especially because we’re all friends.”
For more information, email: breezatrashyladies@gmail.com. SDSun
