Neighborhood group cleans up messy Lehigh school bus stops

Neighbors in Lehigh Acres are upset about damaged benches and garbage thrown around at school bus stops. These are spots that are supposed to be safe for kids to wait for the school bus, and neighbors are angry they are not being taken care of.

A local group is working to take control of school bus stops in Lehigh Acres after reports of damaged equipment and uncleanliness.

“It’s bad enough so that at least every other week we go up our street and pick up garbage,” Laurel West said.

West and his wife posted a picture online of trash strewn about a school bus stop Friday.

“When you’re getting on the bus, there’s a trash can right on the bus,” West said. “Take it with you. Drop it in the trash can.”

In less than two hours, Magnant picked up every piece of trash around a school bus stop in Lehigh. It’s a daily activity he has been frequenting out of frustration.

“I didn’t realize how much trash there really was until I started walking my daughter to the bus stop,” Magnant said.

Magnant is a member of a community group that picks up trash called “Clean Up Events in Lehigh Acres.”

Magnant said everyone should take pride in the place they call home.

“If somebody’s pointing at it and I can pick it up and take care of it, I will take care of it,” Magnant said.

Some of the school bus stops are already clean, while others in Lehigh still have collections of litter. Anyone interested in joining a cleanup event can visit the “Clean Up Events in Lehigh Acres” Facebook page. There is an event Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

West shared the same sentiments for school bus stops in Lehigh.

“This is our home, and we want it to look nice,” West said.