The broken window theory was advanced by two social scientists, George L. Kelling and James Q. Wilson, in the year 1982. They postulated that “crime experienced in various cities is as a result of some social disorder that existed in the cities” (Harcourt, Bernard and Jens 272). They explained the theory by giving an example of a house with it window panes broken. If such window panes were not repaired for some time, there is likelihood that more window panes would be broken down by vandals. The breakage will continue gradually, and a point comes when the house is broken into. If the house has no occupant, then it’s even possible that the vandals will even squat in the house or may even light a fire in the house (Harcourt, Bernard & Jens 274). The broken-window theory was experimented by a psychologist, Philip Zimbardo, in 1969. Zimbardo set up a car with no registration number plate, the hood open and left it in a neighborhood in Bronx. He then set up another car idle in Palo Alto, California but this car was properly parked with all doors closed plus the hood. The first car at was attacked minutes after Zimbardo left it with the radiator and battery being stolen (Harcourt, Bernard & Jens 276). After a couple of hours, all valuable parts of the car had been stolen. On the other side, the car at Palo Alto stayed the way it was left. The example of Zimbardo illustrates what was summarized by George Kelling and James Wilson in the broken window theory. To elaborate a bit, the psychological construct of society will determine some of the things that happen in that community. If something is left abandoned and unattended to, people are likely to conclude that no one cares, and they would also not feel the need to care.
As illustrated by the broken-window theory, changing the psychological view of our community or neighborhood can change a lot in the society. In neighborhood cleanliness, it would be important to initiate that sense of responsibility for a clean neighborhood, and this can start at either individual or a small group’s level. I will do three things to help clean up my neighborhood, (1). Pick up trash around my dumpster and alley when I go throw the trash. (2). Pick up cigarette butts my neighbor throws in his yard and (3). Take a trash bag with me during my evening run and pick up some trash after finishing my run. The shared dumpster in my neighborhood is located at a strategic point so that around four families share it, however, more often than not, trash may drop on ones’ way, as they walk through the alleys, to the dumpster. I would initiate a process of ensuring my neighborhood is clean by collecting these trash myself on my way to the dumpster; I would need supplies such as gloves and plastic bags so that I can collect these trash and put them in the dumpster.
When taking my evening runs, I will always ensure that I carry a plastic bag with me so that when I’m done with the exercise, I collect some trash thrown along the streets and alleys. I would also take this opportunity to drop flyers in the neighborhood, “you create flyer in your computer and give to small restaurantsto help get the word out,” (Hilliard) and sensitize them on the importance of keeping the neighborhood clean. I would also use such opportunities to encourage my friends, with whom we run in the evening, to build a strong team that can successfully organize neighborhood cleaning events once in a while. With the team, we will also be able to publicize cleaning events and even invite volunteers, businesses and government institutions and departments to help in such neighborhood cleaning events (Lopez-Ledesma).
With assistance from volunteers and other players in my community (Mitrofanova), I would buy some supplies and use them to collect cigarette butts in my neighbor’s backyard, with that I will be able to instill a culture of responsibility in the neighborhood that they should always throw cigarette butts in the trash bins. With enough supplies, I will also be able to purchase a few trash cans and put some sand in it so that the cigarette butts collected are put in the can and the placed strategically at a point within my neighbor’s yard. With this, my neighbor will appreciate the importance of dumping cigarette butts in trash can.
I believe that using strategies like picking up trash around my dumpster and alley when I go throw the trash, picking up cigarette butts my neighbor throws in his yard and taking a trash bag with me during my evening run to pick up some trash after finishing my run will make my neighborhood clean. More importantly, these initiatives will influence other households’ members in my neighborhood and ultimately my neighborhood will be clean. The long term effect of it will be that as per the broken window theory, the perception will change and my neighborhood will be safe and clean.
References
Ballard, Jennifer. “How to Turn Community Cleanup into a Fun Scavenger Hunt”. My Kids’ Adventures. Social Media Examiner. 24 September 2013. Web. 11 April 2016. http://www.mykidsadventures.com/cleanup-scavenger-hunt/
Hilliard, Patricia. “How to Organize a Community Clean Up”. Authorsden. AuthorsDen Inc. 25 March 2013. Web. 11 April 2016. http://www.authorsden.com/categories/article_top.asp?id=68725
Lopez-Ledesma, Yvette. “Neighborday Idea #4: Organize a Community Clean-Up”. Good. Good Worldwide Inc. 22 April 2015. Web. 11 April 2016. https://www.good.is/articles/neighborday-2015-pacoima-beautiful
Mitrofanova, Yelena. “A Successful Neighborhood Cleanup”. Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County. University of Nebraska. April 2005. Web. 11 April 2016. http://lancaster.unl.edu/community/articles/organizecleanup.shtml
Harcourt, Bernard E., and Jens Ludwig. "Broken windows: New evidence from New York City and a five-city social experiment." The University of Chicago Law Review (2006): 271-320.
