Graffiti and Litter (Seattle Forward)

March 01, 2010

Graffiti and Litter

Councilmember Tom Rasmussen and I have asked the City Auditor to review the City's response to graffiti and litter and recommend ways to improve that response. We have also asked that the Auditor review how other American cities handle graffiti and litter problems and recommend best practices we might follow here.

Here is the letter Councilmember Rasmussen and I sent to the City Auditor: Download Jones letter 2010 02 04.

Recent academic studies confirm and quantify the connection between visible environmental disorder and higher rates of crime. The study from the Netherlands focuses on the negative impacts of litter and graffiti, including documentation of the increase in crime that occurs when these environmental disorders are not cleaned up. Here is the study from the Netherlands: Download Social Disorder Science 11-20-08.

And here is another study from the Boston area on crime control by paying attention to disorder: Download Criminology August 2008 Street Disorder.

Posted by Tim Burgess on March 01, 2010 at 05:47 PM in Graffiti/Litter, Little Things Making Life Better, Public Safety | Permalink

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Burgess Bookshelf

Snyder, Timothy: Our Malady: Lessons in Liberty from a Hospital Diary
This book, along with Snyder's earlier, On Tyranny, is packed full of useful policy ideas that can help rebuild our country. Snyder's understanding of the rising threat of authoritarianism is exactly what needs to be understood today, coupled with his diagnosis of how we have failed to support all of the people of America.
Putnam, Robert D.: The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again
Here's a hope filled historical review of how America has made itself more inclusive and equitable and can do it again. Very encouraging.
Sacks, Jonathan: Morality: Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times
Rabbi Sacks' book is essential reading, in my opinion, especially now when freedom is under such attack. His wisdom fills every page, his defense of liberal democracy is compelling.
Epstein, David: Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World
This is a compelling and great read. I love it since I'm a generalist.
McCaulley, Esau: Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope
While the white Christian church, especially evangelicalism, was the dominant influence in my family of origin and my youth, I've learned so much more recently from the Black church. McCaulley's book is a very good introduction to Black theology and biblical interpretation.
Yglesias, Matthew: One Billion Americans: The Case for Thinking Bigger
A critical thinker and blogger, Yglesias lays out a vision for America that is more inclusive and equitable; includes good sections on early learning and the crucial value of immigration.
Thomas E. Ricks: Churchill and Orwell: The Fight for Freedom
This book examines the lives and efforts of two men who never met each other but who helped save democracy leading up to and during World War II. Another much read for those who are worried about the American condition today.
Timothy Snyder: The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America
From the author of "On Tyranny" comes another pithy look at how freedom and democracy can be destroyed from within.
Greg Weiner: American Burke: The Uncommon Liberalism of Daniel Patrick Moynihan (American Political Thought)
Fascinating account of the former New York Senator; good friend and colleague of our own Senator Henry Jackson.
Steven Levitsky & Daniel Liblatt: How Democracies Die
This is a must read for people concerned about the future of our democracy. One of their main points is that democracies begin to fail when the norms of civil discourse and the rule of law begin to crumble. We are seeing that happen before our very eyes today.