Carli Clesmere 
As winter fades and Hoboken starts to feel like itself again, the city is filled with the best kind of early-spring energy. The sun is shining a little longer, the snow piles are finally melting away, and locals are back outside. But as the snow clears and the sidewalks reappear, something else has made a not-so-welcome comeback. Dog poop. Lately, it seems almost impossible to walk a full block without spotting it, stepping around it, or overhearing someone complain about it. Read on for more about the latest talk of the town: Hoboken’s growing dog poop problem.
Mayor Emily Jabbour Speaks Up About the Sidewalk Situation
On March 10th, Mayor Emily Jabbour took to Instagram to address the dog poop issue currently facing Hoboken, and she did not sugarcoat it. In the video, she says, “Hoboken, we really need you to clean up your dog’s s#!t,” calling attention to the growing number of messes appearing across the city’s sidewalks as the snow melts. She notes that Hoboken’s streets are shared by everyone, from parents pushing strollers to walkers, runners, and daily commuters, and while winter snow may temporarily hide what is left behind, those piles do not simply disappear once the snow melts.
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The mayor also reminds residents that failing to clean up after a dog can come with serious fines, some reaching as high as $2,000. Mayor Emily Jabbour also mentions how the city has 80 + pet waste stations throughout Hoboken, where residents can grab free dog waste bags, making it easier to clean up after pets.
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The video of Mayor Emily Jabbour has since gained a lot of attention, with several local outlets picking up the story. Lauren Due of News 12 New Jersey even aired a segment shortly after the mayor’s post, further spotlighting the situation + adding to the ongoing conversation around pet owner responsibility in Hoboken.
The Instagram Page Tracking Hoboken’s Dog Poop Problem
In the Instagram video, Mayor Emily Jabbour also gave a shoutout to the Instagram account @hobokenpooppatrol, which has been gaining attention for calling out residents who fail to clean up after their dogs. The page shares photos + clips, often submitted through Ring cameras or followers, highlighting moments when pet owners leave a mess behind.
While many posts from @hobokenpooppatrol take a humorous approach, the overall goal is to raise awareness + encourage better habits among local dog owners. The HG team has been in contact with the page’s founder, who described it as a “gentle reminder” for residents to clean up after their pets, even if the message can be blunt at times. In a statement shared with us, the account holder said, “To the responsible dog owners: we see you and appreciate you. To the ones still leaving landmines and catching attitudes when called out, the cameras are rolling, and the submissions are coming in.” The HG team recently covered the account in more detail, and more information can be found here.
A Few Simple Reminders for Dog Owners in Hoboken
With the growing conversation around dog waste in Hoboken, a few simple habits can go a long way in keeping the city’s sidewalks cleaner for everyone. Here are a few easy reminders making the rounds lately:
- Always pick it up. It may seem obvious, but it is the most important part of being a responsible dog owner.
- Use the free bag stations *if in a pinch*. If a walk starts without a bag, Hoboken’s pet waste stations can help in a pinch. Mistakes happen.
- Be mindful of carrying bags. Do not rely on city stations as the only option. As the @hobokennj account shared: “We want to note that pet waste dispensers are adopted and refilled by private citizens and local businesses as a courtesy for when dog owners need an emergency pet waste bag. They are not meant to be the only source of bags for dog owners. If you are a dog owner, please always walk your pet with a stash of bags.”
- Be mindful of shared sidewalks. With spring running season arriving, the last thing anyone wants is a runner slipping on an unexpected plop of poop.
The HG team has also reached out to the City of Hoboken for more details on fines and enforcement related to pet waste.
Per the City’s response as of March 11th, around 1 PM, Sanitation or Health Inspectors must personally witness a dog owner not picking up pet waste to issue a fine. This allows inspectors to identify the owner, issue a citation on the spot, and confirm the dog is properly licensed and registered with the City if the owner is a resident. Cameras cannot be used to enforce the law because individuals are often not identifiable, and the City does not have the resources to track them down. Instead, the City relies on community reports of problem areas and conducts targeted pop-up enforcement, where inspectors patrol those locations and issue citations if they see a violation. The Mayor’s video is intended mainly as an educational reminder for dog owners to clean up after their pets.
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