Eyes on the street
‘Eyes on the street’. Coined by the legendary urban sociologist, Jane Jacobs in her landmark book, Death and Life of Great American Cities, these are probably four of the most fundamental words when it comes to public safety.
The term is used by neighborhood watch programs across the country and familiar to law enforcement officials as well. In Jane’s words:
“There must be eyes on the street, eyes belonging to those we might call the natural proprietors of the street. The buildings on a street equipped to handle strangers and to insure the safety of both residents and strangers, must be oriented to the street. They cannot turn their backs or blank sides on it and leave it blind. The sidewalk must have users on it fairly continuously, both to add to the number of effective eyes on the street and to induce a sufficient number of people in buildings along the street to watch the sidewalks.”
Tomorrow we’ll look at indicators from the commercial, residential and retail points of view, and how understanding signs of improving safety will help you make a wise investment.
Are there ‘eyes on the street’ in your neighborhood? Speak your mind below…
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