The Sidewalk is Not a Dumpster

Since I was a kid, growing up in West Altadena, I’ve heard my share of complaints about what could and should be done to improve our neighborhoods.  Sometimes I’ll hear, “you know they wouldn’t let that happen over on the other side of Lake…”

I must admit, I see things in West Altadena that I couldn’t imagine in East Altadena; but, why?  Does East Altadena enjoy a higher level of County services than West Altadena?  When the statement is made, “you know THEY wouldn’t let…,”  who does “they” refer to?

Driving near my neighborhood this afternoon, I was overwhelmed by what WE (not THEY) let happen in West Altadena.  Driving across Figueroa, I spotted an abandoned headboard, then a box-spring mattress, an old speaker a plastic seesaw and a pile of shoes!  A few days ago, I reported an abandoned sofa…

The area has been plagued with problems, including loitering, pandering and poor street maintenance, among others; but, the biggest problem is the community itself.  As long as we don’t respect our own community, nobody else will either; in fact, the more our own residents participate in, or even tolerate, the tearing down of our community, the more trouble we attract.

In 1982, sociologists James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling published an article entitled “Broken Windows” in the March edition of The Atlantic Monthly.  The following example was included in the article:

“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 if it’s unoccupied, perhaps become squatters or light fires inside.  Or consider a sidewalk. Some litter accumulates. Soon, more litter accumulates. Eventually, people even start leaving bags of trash from take-out restaurants there or breaking into cars.”

If you’ve been using the sidewalk like a dumpster, please stop!  But, if you were, I doubt you’d be reading an article about improving our community.  Unfortunately, reading is only the first step in a greater commitment—and it’s not enough not to be a part of the problem; you’ve got to be part of the solution.  If you see someone dumping furniture or other trash on the street:

1. Make note of anything that would identify the perpetrator,
        like a license plate or logo on the side of a truck.
2. Call the Sheriff at 626-798-1131
3. Log the incident on the Public Works website (click here)