Fixing the Broken Windows
Valred
Olsim – The Eternal Student
The
solutions to our society’s ills are right under our noses but we tend to look
far, even up to the moon for answers. What if, the answer to criminality and
chaos is simple cleanliness? What if maintaining order only requires the fixing
of ‘broken windows’?
The broken
windows theory, credited for New York’s crime rate decline in the 1990s, is
a criminological theory that states that
visible signs of crime, anti-social behavior, and civil disorder create an urban environment that encourages more crime and disorder,
including serious crimes. That, addressing these through persistent cleaning
and maintenance of public spaces will deter said tendencies and ultimately
promote order and community development. Academics James Q. Wilson and George
L. Kelling first introduced the broken windows theory in an article entitled
"Broken Windows", for The Atlantic Monthly.
The title comes from the following example: “Consider a building with a
few broken windows. If the windows are not repaired, the tendency is for
vandals to break a few more windows. Eventually, they may even break into the
building, and if it's unoccupied, perhaps become squatters or light fires
inside. Or consider a pavement. Some litter accumulates. Soon, more litter
accumulates. Eventually, people even start leaving bags of refuse from take-out
restaurants there or even break into cars.”
A
disorderly and chaotic area represents mismanagement and inefficiency, and on
the part of the people, disobedience and lawlessness. That is why Mayor Isko of
Manila made it a point to clean the streets first before any other business of
the day, or why many politicians pride themselves of their clean and orderly
places, or why Singapore’s Lee Kwan Yew made no apologies in penalizing
litterers, or why Japan is the progressive Japan that it is, or why
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness”. Obviously, the way our place looks reflects
the people that we are. Simple disorder creates more disorder, simple trash invites
more trash.
This
philosophy ultimately produces a noble repercussion to its citizens and the
place as a whole – the community becomes invested in the orderly place and will
help in protecting and preserving it. The idea will inspire community policing,
and ultimately, community development and pride of place.
Cleaning
is not just cleaning. Fixing windows is not just fixing. It is the answer that
we sometimes underestimate, the solution that we refuse to accept.
***
The
VolunTourism Organization is still accepting volunteers not only for tourism,
but for all community development works. Interested individuals and groups may
visit us at the La Trinidad Tourism Office to register and schedule activities
or volunteer works. They may also contact us at 09294619617 or through email at
valredsmail@yahoo.com. Our organization also wish to
express our heartfelt to our tireless volunteers who sacrifice even a couple of
hours for the community. Salamat! Iyaman! Thank you!
