Monday, July 9, 2018

City Renewal With Vacant Lot Clean Up

By Jessica Stewart


Though there is a great increase in crime these days, there is a way to help with it. This is by vacant lot clean up activities. Studies have shown that overgrown lots are a signal to criminals that there is a lack of pride in the neighborhood. These also give a convenient place to hide drugs, guns, and other criminal activities. Where the grass and weeds are tall a criminal can easily hide in it, and even remain hidden.

Many cities have the locals in the area to mow these areas and will pay them, though at a lower fee than a professional. This allows the citizens to earn a little bit of money as well as giving them a sense of pride about their areas. Sometimes volunteers form groups that mow and keep the areas clean, saving the city from having to pay for it, and keeping the area clean at the same time.

In some cities, they address the problem by charging a fine for overgrown lots. They demand that it remains in a mowed and cleaned condition to avoid further fines. In other cities, receiving repeated citations for neglecting the task means the city takes it over, charging the owner for the work.

This approach to crime prevention is a well-accepted one. Unlike gun control, in which there are two sides, one which fights the control, this method has no objections from citizens. Everyone, except the criminal, benefits from the efforts. Neighborhoods even accept and take some responsibility for doing the work in their area.

Upfront costs to cities is a deterrent but the overall impact is cost effective. With less crime as a result, increase in property value, and fines assessed to those who received the maintenance, this cost is somewhat offset. Some have estimated that twenty-six dollars are recognized for every dollar spent.

Trash and debris are conveniently dumped in abandoned lots. This causes major decline of surrounding neighborhoods and discourages home owners from keeping their areas clean and mowed. This causes a major decline in an area, and leads to the loss of pride in a community. Children playing in these areas also face danger from the trash. In addition, disease is a danger from all the trash.

Ordinances, called mow to own, have been considered by some cities as a solution. This provision allows a person living next to an abandoned area to mow and clean it up over time and be able to get it for free or for a very low amount. This not only means the vacant yard will be cleaned, but it encourages the home owner to keep their own yard in perfect condition. If there are many neglected areas in a city, this allows them to rebuild the areas.

In certain cities groups of volunteers attempt to restore a neglected downtown area by clean up the lots that have been abandoned. They beautify them in hopes of encouraging new businesses to move in and build up the area. These volunteers go to different lots each week, cleaning and beautifying them. They come back another time to each lot, and if the place has not been kept up, they notify the owner that they won't come again to help unless they work on the maintenance themselves.




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