Broken Window Theory in Cincinnati

[LanDroid]

Guiliani made it famous in New Yawk, here's an example in Cincy.

CNN/WKRC video

[reason]

I wasn't able to access the link, but I wholly subscribe to the broken window theory. When I moved to my street, I spent the first couple years improving the exterior of my home, improving it to appear better than the homes immediately surrounding me (which isn't saying much, let me tell you). It may just be coincidence, but subsequent to my improvements, surrounding neighbors painted the exteriors of their homes and made other improvements, and the quality of the people has vastly improved. Really a nice mix.

As part of that whole theory, I routinely butt in on my neighbor's property on both sides of me. Yesterday, I picked up garbage in the gutter in front of the house next door (it is currently vacant), and I've been mowing the front lawns of the homes on either side of me for around two years now (fortunately, the lawns are small), and occaisonally take a weed whacker to the grass (even put some weed n' feed on it last year).

I know that sounds nutty, but I'd rather do the extra work than see the street decline. People react to the appearance of their surroundings, and I think my street has been a positive example of that.

<font color="#FFFFAA" size="1">[ February 07, 2005 08:58 AM: Message edited by: Sarcazmo ]</font>

[Dulcinea]

Sarcazmo, would you move next door to me, please?

Good for you!

Also didn't see the video, I don't run things that use sound while I'm at work. But I think Guiliani was right with that theory - and taking an approach based on that certainly seemed to work in NYC.

[cincygreg]

Why would you want that living next door to you AL?

Who would want a creep like him in their neighborhood?

[reason]

Originally posted by cincygreg:
Why would you want that living next door to you AL?

Who would want a creep like him in their neighborhood?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Presumably because I would mow her yard for free and pick garbage from her curb. And that would be the only time she would ever see me. Wow. I'd *love* to have me for a neighbor. I wish I could move next door to myself.
[img]graemlins/heart.gif[/img]

[reason]

Originally posted by Aurora Leigh:
Sarcazmo, would you move next door to me, please?

Good for you!

Also didn't see the video, I don't run things that use sound while I'm at work. But I think Guiliani was right with that theory - and taking an approach based on that certainly seemed to work in NYC.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Ok. Give me two and a half years. That's when I'm selling.*

*With appropriate market conditions.

[LanDroid]

Reminds me of when the house next door was abandoned for a couple of years. The neighbors on both sides cut the front grass every week. We were terrified the crips and bloods would move into the area if we didn't...

[reason]

Originally posted by LanDroid:
Reminds me of when the house next door was abandoned for a couple of years. The neighbors on both sides cut the front grass every week. We were terrified the crips and bloods would move into the area if we didn't...

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Two summers ago, 4 homes directly across the street - all side by side - went on the market at the same time. Living in the 'hood was too much for these people, and they all decided life is better in the 'burbs.

This, of course, made me very nervous because I was very afraid of who might move in. That's when I made a concerted effort to keep the yards on either side of me mowed and trimmed. While these homes were on the market, I did not hesitate to move trash or other objects from their front yards, use the weed whacker, or even take the trash cans off the sidewalk. At the time, both were rentals (one is now owner occupied), so upkeep left something to be desired.

I'd like to think I contributed to attracting some really cool neighbors. One is a law professor at UC, and is a Harvard Law School grad. Then there are a couple of 30-something dinks, the hubby sounds like he's from Australia or New Zealand. Across the street are a bunch of liberal youngsters who share a house but keep it very well-kept. And then two doors down, on the other side of what used to be a rental, a couple with two children moved in, and they are renovating their home and turning it into a single family. Really nice people. Two doors up, on the other side of me (next to the vacant house) are another couple of dinks, the hubby from Serbia who teaches violin at NKU. They moved in about a year and a half ago, and they have already painted the exterior of their house and put in all new replacement windows. Nice.

All in all, I'd say things have worked out well so far. I question the new owner next door. She promises improvements, but I'm not confident she can afford a lawn mower, much less a snow shovel.

The point is, people really care about how the appearance of their property, which translates that they care about their neighbors and their neighborhood. This attitude really enhances the quality of life.