This is worse than I thought it would be, said Dawn Komorowski, one of the organizers of the young volunteers. Were going to need more trash bags.

        In some sections of the wooded lot along Aletta Place the trash, which had been festering all winter under snow and ice, was compacted and over a foot deep. Rakes were useless in the thick woods and the volunteers attacked the refuse with gloved hands. I found a hundred dollar bill, screamed Bryan Henn. After a quick inspection of the note, to ensure its authenticity, the teens continued their cleaning quest with renewed vigor.

        The bags lined the street to be picked up later by the Town of Brookhaven. Dorothy Febish has done a terrific job of coordinating the removal of the trash bags, Komorowski said.

        But a return tour of the area the next day proved disappointing. A passing vehicle intentionally drove through the bags bursting some of them. I cant let ignorant slobs get me down, Komorowski said. We are organizing some additional clean-ups for next week, including The Green Shopping Center and some areas along McGraw Street in Shirley.

        The perseverance of Komorowski and Dawn Mitterando, who also volunteers and coordinates the clean-ups, is paying off. Both Taco Bell and Wendys have pledged to send out parking lot clean-up crews more frequently and more volunteers have joined the Trash Busters since the story appeared in last weeks South Shore Press.

        But it is doubtful that the fast food district would stay clean if customers continue to flagrantly disregard laws and litter.

        Littering is a quality of life issue, said Inspector John Meehan, commanding officer of the Suffolk County Police Departments Seventh Precinct, who pledged to monitor the littering problem on Aletta Place. Last weekend, Seventh Squad Patrol officers issued seven tickets for littering in that specific area. We will continue patrolling the area and will ticket those who litter, Meehan said.

        The offenders were issued appearance tickets, at the Sixth District Court, for violation of town law which prohibits a person from throwing or depositing litter upon public or private property. Upon conviction a person can be fined up to $2,000 or be imprisoned for up to 15 days.

        For more information concerning additional clean-ups, please look for Trash Buster updates which will appear in future issues of the South Shore Press. On April 24, the William Floyd Community Summit and the Mastic Beach Property Owners Association will be coordinating clean-ups throughout the Tri-hamlet communities of the Mastics and Shirley. For more information the Summit can be reached at 874-1197 and the MBPOA at 281-3624.