The executive director of the Gathering Place is thanking the public for making them aware of the recent accumulation of litter in front of its building on Military Road.

Images and video have been circulating on social media showing heaps of garbage, discarded cups and even used needles in a space near the bus stop.

Colin McNeil says melting snow has revealed piles of rubbish that were previously hidden.

“It’s spring now, and snow is receding quickly…so as the snow recedes of course, it reveals much more garbage in the area.” He says “we’re very conscious of that, so periodically, and I would say frequently, we empower guests and our staff to get together and go out and conduct clean-ups outside of the boundaries of the Gathering Place just to make sure that our space is friendly and safe for everyone.”

He says that very area was cleaned up yesterday. He admits that discarded needles are a serious concern, and the Gathering Place has been speaking with the capital city about the placement of safe needle disposal sites.

“It’s something that we’ve had conversations with the city of St. John’s about it in the past. To establish even more public needle disposal sites.”