Broken Windows and Empty Buildings

The Real Crime Starts with Neglect

A Theory with Two Sides

For years, people have argued about the Broken Windows Theory. Some say if a neighborhood looks run-down - with graffiti, litter, overgrown weeds, or boarded-up houses - it sends a message that no one cares, and crime soon follows. Others believe the opposite: that using the police to crack down on every small offense only makes things worse by targeting ordinary people instead of solving real problems.

The truth is, both sides are partly right - but neither is getting to the heart of the issue.

When No One’s Watching

Many have seen firsthand what happens when a building sits empty. When no one is watching, the wrong kind of activity moves in. It starts small - a broken window, a door left unsecured - but it doesn’t take long before the place becomes a hub for drug use, theft, trespassing, or even arson.

Once that happens, the damage spreads beyond the property line. Neighbors feel unsafe, nearby homes lose value, and the whole area suffers.

Empty and neglected properties don’t just symbolize decline - they create it.

The Missing Piece

Property owners have a duty to keep their buildings secure. Letting a structure sit open to trespass and destruction is more than neglect; it’s an invitation to crime.

The city, too, has an obligation to enforce property codes consistently and make sure that owners maintain their buildings before they become hazards. And the community needs a voice in holding both accountable.

This isn’t just about policing - it’s about responsibility.

Real Safety Starts with Shared Effort

We don’t fix neighborhoods by ticketing people for small mistakes or by ignoring the deeper issues of abandonment and disinvestment. We fix them by expecting everyone - owners, officials, and residents alike - to do their part.

A safe, healthy city starts with visible care: repaired windows, maintained buildings, and neighbors who refuse to look the other way when neglect creeps in.

A Community Action Plan: Everyone Has a Role

For Property Owners

• Secure vacant buildings promptly - board up windows, lock doors, and post ownership contact information.

• Maintain the exterior: mow grass, remove trash, and keep lighting functional to deter trespassers.

• Work with neighbors or local watch groups to keep an eye on your property.

• Invest or sell - if you can’t maintain the property, pass it to someone who will.

For Residents

• Report unsecured or abandoned buildings to code enforcement - and follow up to make sure action is taken.

• Stay visible: organize block cleanups, neighborhood watches, and community walks.

• Encourage new investment by supporting local businesses and improvements that bring activity back to the area.

• Document issues with photos and dates to hold both owners and the city accountable.

For City Officials

• Enforce property maintenance laws consistently, not selectively or politically.

• Offer incentives for rehabilitation, renovation, and responsible redevelopment.

• Create a public database of vacant or problem properties to increase transparency.

• Partner with residents, not just police, to rebuild trust and pride in struggling neighborhoods.

The Real Message

When property owners, residents, and city officials work together, the cracks in our communities can be repaired - one window, one building, and one act of accountability at a time.

At the end of the day, it’s not the broken glass that invites crime - it’s the broken sense of responsibility.