South Philadelphia Cleanup Day
I met Damon Roberts of Philadelphia Young Democrats through a friend via Neighborhood Networks. I chatted with him briefly a couple months ago and told him I was hesitant to join PYD in an active role until I knew more about the organization, who its members were, what kind of candidates they support, what kinds of questions they raise and some other things. Yesterday, I got a press release from PYD about a big event they're putting together.
Philadelphia, PA, August 19th, 2006, 8:00AM
Philadelphia Young Democrats is helping to organize the biggest neighborhood clean up in the recent history of South Philadelphia. The 17th Police District in South Philadelphia has had the highest level of homicides in our City. According to the broken glass theory, many unaddressed quality of life factors, such as dirty streets, help to contribute to the tragic homicide rate. So, in concert with the South Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks, the Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee, Block Captains from the 17th Police District, Universal Companies, South Philadelphia Block Association, the Greater Philadelphia Church of Christ, Hope Worldwide Philadelphia, Point Breeze Community Development Coalition and the City of Philadelphia, PYD is making a difference.
We'll be cleaning out vacant lots, planting trees, painting, sweeping, etc. The cleanup will be at 1700 Reed Street at 8am on Saturday August 19th.
Contact the organizer: Damon Roberts for more information.
I'm not sold on the Broken Window Theory, but this sounds like a good idea nevertheless. Helping to clean up the neighborhood gives you a sense of civic pride. Here's an article about the theory and how two social psychologists feel it is incorrect. This event is more than a bit on the early side for a Saturday for this late sleeper, but who knows, stranger things have happened than me getting up at the butt crack of dawn on a weekend.
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August 18th, 2006 @ 10:01 am
I agree that the broken glass theroy almost ties in together with the crime in this city. Its not just dirty streets that contribute to the crime in the streets. I was at a forum a week ago and a lovely lady said that there where drugs being sold on Madison Av. So I told her that it might be true but if you go to Madison you won't find drug dealers posted up on that corner. When you live in a dirty , inhabitable neighborhood , it breeds a lot of crime cause no one cares about that neighborhood to change it. Some people look for neighborhoods that the city has forgotten about so they can post up and setup camp for their operations. If they don't care about their streets , they won't care who hangs on the corner, thats how some dealers feel. Thats why we have to clean up our streets, its real noticeable to see a drug dealer posted up on a clean positive neighborhood. You won't find drug dealers posted up at 17 & Spruce so it shouldn't be a 17 & Reed.