Crime can happen anywhere, but new studies reveal that the physical layout and the atmosphere of a neighborhood can significantly affect its potential for violence, according to an article in the Philadelphia Citizen. Easy access to major roadways, the presence of abandoned lots and homes, and trash on the streets were shown to increase gun violence in cities like Philadelphia.
Research has long correlated environment to neighborhood crime and violence. Neighborhoods with abandoned homes, vacant lots and litter are prime for such events. Add in a location near a major thoroughfare and you have the perfect setup for drive-by shootings, with easy escape routes. One study compared the list of 14 zip codes where the majority of gun violence was happening in Philadelphia to the city’s litter index. Just accounting for the trash on the street, there was a lot of overlap.
Seeking to find the effects of cleanups in these neighborhoods, University of Pennsylvania researchers randomly selected hundreds of vacant lots in Philadelphia. They removed trash, planted trees, installed fences, and performed regular maintenance. Gun violence dropped significantly in these spots when compared to those with no intervention. One neighborhood saw a 29 percent drop in crime. Residents felt safer and began socializing outside more frequently.
Another University of Pennsylvania study found a drop in neighborhood crime where low-income homeowners were given grants to make structural repairs. The Urban Health Lab is studying whether repairs to abandoned homes can have a similar effect. The Philadelphia LandCare program is now overseeing 12,000 lots in the city. Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson recently introduced a bill to increase Philly’s tree canopy and create a Philly tree fund.
While moves like these inspire hope, violence remains a very serious problem in the city. Victims of crime in Philadelphia can experience overwhelming emotional trauma and physical injury. However, an experienced law firm can help you pursue compensatory damages in civil court, along with criminal sanctions against the attacker. Please contact us to learn more.