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Oct 6, 2003 Giuliani, the former mayor of NYC, is probably the only Republican I like/liked. I was working as a recreation therapist for United Cerebral Palsy of New York State. We took our clients to a Lehman College basketball game. Lehman is Giuliani’s alma mater. We spotted him in the stadium and our senior rec decided we should take our clients to meet the mayor. During half- time we went with our clients to meet him. He was polite and friendly and shook each of our client’s hand without showing the least bit of negative emotion exhibited by most people when they would see our clients. I really respected him for that. The clients were thrilled to meet the mayor. While mayor he realized that it is the petty crimes, the ones people hardly think about, that slowly, almost imperceptibly destroy the quality of life for everyone. He started cracking down on these minor offenses, sending a message to the general public to shape up. And it worked. People felt empowered and started feeling better about the city. Perhaps this example could serve as an example to restore the pride in troubled neighborhoods. It has proven to change a mind- set, which above all, is one of the hardest things to do. Realizing that these small acts of disregard are indications of a larger, more negative attitude, can be the first step in changing a decaying situation around. One minor offence that my neighbors commit on a regular basis is the taking of shopping carts from the local supermarket. I am sure that they don’t even think it is actually a crime. There’s quite a collection of them now. Some rusting and lying around the building. Some bunched up by the garbage room. Some pushed into the canal. Some in hallways creating a fire hazard. While on my last visit up north to New Jersey, my mother and I went to the supermarket. I was surprised that the carts were chained with special locks that required a coin deposit. Once the carts were returned, the patron could get their money back. I was told that this was already tried here in Broward County, but people found a way to foil the set-up. I recently met one of our prominent realtors who is a successful businessman in the community as well as a city official. He told me that one of his plans for improving our community was to beautify the central bus depot with some landscaping. He asked me if I had noticed. I didn’t really reply to that question because he had others and I was on duty. Frankly, I didn’t notice the new landscaping. In fact, the depot and the mall that sits right behind looked as dirty and dingy as ever. I was told that south Florida is a rougher place than NYC. Perhaps that is true. Even so, it is smaller, and that fact may be to its advantage. If simply beautifying a place is not noticeable, maybe implementing a Giuliani type action would be more effective. In China, a person will get a ticket for throwing even a bubble gum wrapper on the street. It wouldn’t be a police officer, or even a security guard who would ticket you. It would be a senior citizen. Florida is a haven for senior citizens. I can’t imagine that it would work too well, though. The young thugs would at least laugh, but more likely terrorize the senior ticket giver. I guess it would have to be the job of the police. Once again, as petty as it seemed, the effect was felt in NYC. I can just imagine in my neighborhood how quickly these thefts would stop if people were ticketed. One, they would come to realize that taking other people’s property, be it a store or individual is theft. Two, they might consider purchasing a small cart of their own. After all, this is not the days of the old Russian babushkas who lugged their groceries home in bags simply because they didn’t have carts. Why no one thought to make one is another question. We do have them readily available with minimum expense. Next, the police could ticket those who are simply too lazy to park in the central guest parking areas if no guest space is available, preferring instead to park in the fire zone just in front of the entrance. I always imagine how loudly they would wail if it were one of their relations who was seriously injured because the fire truck could not get to them in time. I imagine the civil law suit they would mount claiming it was prejudice that caused the tragedy and delayed response. Never once do I imagine that these people would claim responsibility for any consequence resulting from their own behavior. A small fine, not only for the guest, but their host as well, might just gently remind people that they are accountable for even small acts that affect a social body other than their own. Punishment does yield some results; rewards and incentives also do. If money is already to be spent, it could be better applied as a reward for achievement. For example, offering cash prizes or prizes of value for neighborhoods that exhibit cleanliness could be considered. People do seem to respond when there is a gain involved. There seem to be few gains lately. In fact, for the past two years, I have seen my neighborhood become more troubled. I understand that the petty crimes committed just exhibit the frustration people feel over their lives. The anger and helplessness that poverty breeds. Lashing out in small ways brings some sort of satisfaction. It’s not a positive way to respond, but it is a response. I read a recent article in Atlantic Monthly that pointed out how out of touch with the general public our elected officials are. It’s not an original idea to suggest that they spend a portion of their time living like the lower classes. If you have direct experience, you have knowledge that understanding can be based on. I would challenge our leaders to live on minimum wage for a year. Perhaps then true compassion would enter into our national policies instead of mere cant. ------------ Email Risa: risa008@yahoo.com Comment on this column in the forum. Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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