The New York City Department of Sanitation is disciplining employees after security camera footage surfaced showing sanitation workers allegedly tossing trash bags into the street, resulting in a block being covered in refuse. The incident occurred on Stewart Avenue in Westerleigh, Staten Island.

The video, captured by a resident's home security camera at approximately 5:27 a.m. on July 3, appears to show sanitation workers throwing garbage bags into the street. A sanitation truck is then seen running over the bags, scattering trash across the road.

A resident, Alessante Catalano, told the New York Post that sanitation workers have been carelessly handling trash in his neighborhood for years, but the incidents have worsened recently. Catalano stated that the street was left "disgusting" and "smelled horrible." He reported the issue to the Department of Sanitation, but said the agency investigated and found "no condition" at the location, despite providing images.

Catalano also claimed that sanitation workers have thrown garbage cans at his car and other vehicles on the block. He expressed frustration, stating, "I pay a lot of taxes in this city to see it go to waste is a shame." He added that the litter has created unsanitary conditions, making it difficult to walk his dog.

In a separate incident captured on video on February 28, Catalano reported that sanitation workers threw a bag containing approximately 20 baggies of dog feces into the middle of the street. The bag reportedly broke open, causing the contents to be smeared across the road by passing vehicles.

A spokesperson for the Department of Sanitation stated that the video "clearly does not reflect the high standards of the Department of Sanitation." The spokesperson added that sanitation workers are required to collect all trash properly without leaving a mess. The department confirmed it is disciplining the workers involved in the July 3 incident but did not name them or specify the disciplinary actions.

The New York Post reported that Catalano first witnessed such incidents shortly after moving to Staten Island in 2018.