News
Are Your Windows Broken? What Are You Doing About It?
June 12, 2015
As our unpredictable spring weather wraps up in Northwest Indiana, it is time to set our sights on summer and the many plans we have for improving the looks of Lake County.
In addition to the many construction, paving, municipal park enhancements and beautification projects slated the summer, it is also time to take a hard look at some of the smaller projects that can have meaningful results in our neighborhoods – i.e. projects such as sweeping your curbs, painting your fence or house, or simply repairing that broken window on the garage.
Additionally, the summer is a great time to volunteer some of your “clean-up hours” to a senior citizen who might be having trouble making a few basic repairs to their house. It takes only minutes to sweep a curb or pull some weeds, and your actions might encourage your neighbors to do the same.
Ever hear of the Broken Window Theory? The idea was introduced in 1982 by social scientists J.Wilson and G.Kelling, who said, “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 cause serious damage. Or, consider a busy thoroughfare or neighborhood street and litter is allowed to accumulate. Over time, more litter accumulates, vandals note the apathy, and break-ins occur.”
A broken window that is not promptly repaired is a signal that no one cares, and a street strewn with litter sends the same message.
The solutions are quite simple – neighborhoods with a strong sense of working together have more control over their space. So get your neighbors together and make it happen. Your community will be stronger as a result.
Dave Ryan is the executive director of the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce. The opinions expressed are his own. He can be reached at dryan@lakeshorechamber.com or (219) 931-1000.
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