I recommend a recent book by Malcolm Gladwell called The Tipping Point - it's mostly about how small trends become nationwide popular fads - but it's also about how context influences behavior. A case in point that is highlighted is the New York subway system, which was plagued with petty and major crime in the early 90's. The petty crime was fare jumping (jumping the turnstyle without paying) and graffiti. The major crimes were robbery, assault and worse. The new chief of Transit Police focused on the petty (i.e. "liveability") crime. They cleaned every train for graffiti at the end of every day. They arrested fare jumpers and put them handcuffed in conga lines up to police busses. They didn't put cops on trains or in stations - but assaults and other crimes dropped by 2/3. The point is that liveability crimes (graffiti, obvious drug dealing, vandalism, etc.) give the signal that it's ok to go to the next level and so people do. I think most cops are reluctant to get out of their cars for these kinds of crimes - and that should be where they are most focused - that is what can turn a community around. Why haven't we figured this out? Barry Clegg Nicollet Island REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list.
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