Does litter encourage criminals?
Visiting The South Bronx, a part of New York City, I noticed trash strewn about. Most of the litter appeared on walkways at public housing sites.
People in one such neighborhood, depicted in the photos, warned me to be careful. Teenage boys and young men were committing robberies. As a boy in the early to mid 1960's, I'd visit my grandparents in The Bronx. I didn't see much trash. Why is litter tolerated today?
Criminologists argue that when neighborhood decay is tolerated, citizens become less involved. They disengage from participation in affairs of their neighborhoods. In a sense, they toss in the towel.
Criminals thrive on indifference.
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