Morning Heroes: How the Downtown Stockton Alliance Maintenance Team Keeps Downtown Beautiful

The Downtown Stockton Alliance maintenance team members make every Downtown morning cleaner and brighter. They are kind, hardworking, and diligent. They perform their tasks with joy and a deep sense of responsibility. Downtown Stockton wouldn’t be the same without them.

There are seven general maintenance crew members and one pressure washing crew member. The team services the Downtown Stockton PBID Zones 1 & 2, which span from the ACE train station to Banner Island Ballpark. Their goal: a sparkling clean Downtown Stockton.

A typical day starts with Bobby, who begins pressure washing at 3 AM, rain or shine, 5 days a week. The rest of the team starts work around 5 AM. They hop on their mules and head out to pick up leaves; clean sidewalks and gutters; empty Downtown garbage cans; remove graffiti; and, in the spring, cut down and spray weeds. Each crew member is responsible for a specific route, and they take great care in maintaining their designated areas. They remove human waste, litter and trash of all types, paraphernalia, and many other things that might make the average person queasy. While the rest of Downtown is sleeping or just waking up, our guys are stealthily obliterating overnight grime.

Picking up trash might seem like an ordinary task, but it is essential to keeping Downtown Stockton pleasant for those who live and work here. Many residents and visitors have shared positive feedback, noting how much they appreciate the emptied garbage cans, freshly pressure-washed sidewalks, and the overall cleanliness of the streets and walkways.

Moreover, the team members themselves find great satisfaction in their work. I spoke with some of them about their experiences; their stories reflect the pride and enjoyment they get from being a part of the maintenance crew.

Allen reflected on the rewarding nature of his work: “It feels great to clean the city and make a difference. I also enjoy working outdoors, getting some sun, breathing fresh air, and collaborating with my amazing coworkers.”

Similarly, Jesse expressed his appreciation for the role, saying, “I love this job because there’s more freedom to work, and I’m thankful to be doing something I truly enjoy.”

Ricky shared, “I’ve learned so many new things from this job, like how to use power tools, meet new people, and get to know the Downtown Stockton area better.”

Charisse, who manages the team, also shared her thoughts: “I’m very proud of our maintenance team. They work very hard and take a lot of pride in their work. I hope we can continue to keep the downtown area [looking] as well as we do.”

Looking ahead, the DSA maintenance team plans to expand by hiring more staff in January 2026. I’m excited to see the team grow and make an even greater impact on our downtown community. I truly appreciate all the hard work and dedication the maintenance team brings to Downtown Stockton every single day. If you see the maintenance team around downtown, take a moment to say hello or thank them for their efforts. A small gesture of appreciation can brighten their day as they continue to make Downtown Stockton shine!

If you need to request removal of sidewalk human waste, litter, or weeds; garbage can emptying; spot pressure-washing; or graffiti removal in Downtown Stockton, call 209.464.5246, Monday – Friday, and Chariss will get one of our amazing crew members dispatched as soon as possible!