Fight Blight!

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Blight is defined by Merriam-Webster as, “something that frustrates plans or hopes,” “something that impairs or destroys,” and, “a deteriorated condition.” At Love Your Block MKE, we focus on blight that presents itself as criminal activity or unsightly environs caused by the misuse or disuse of a space. The following are simple steps you can take to help fight blight in your neighborhood. 

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CPTED     Illegal Dumping     Recycling

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One of the most effective ways to fight and prevent blight in your neighborhood is to create a block watch. Safe & Sound can help you start one, connect with one, and assist with other measures you can take.

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CPTED

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a design concept that can be used to prevent unwanted activities in an area. Its principles suggest that people are more willing to commit crimes in areas they feel unseen. The National Crime Prevention Council of Singapore published this full guide that goes through all the design techniques. For something more brief, check out the Milwaukee Police Department’s CPTED brochure. 

 

Love Your Block highlights the three simplest things you can do on your property: lighting, creating sight lines, and maintaining a space. 

 

Lighting:

Adding lighting to your property is the easiest thing you can do to deter crime. It works to both create a sense of ownership and add visibility. However, it needs to be the right kind of lighting. Too dim and it’s not effective, too bright and it’s a nuisance to neighbors. Here’s a guide from the Wisconsin Crime Prevention Practitioners Association that goes through proper CPTED lighting techniques.

 

Line of sight:

People are less likely to commit crimes where they feel seen. Adding sight lines to a space will deter people and help you and your neighbors monitor your block. They could be in the form of you looking out your window onto the street or a pedestrian looking in someone’s backyard. Noticing where a potential sight line is blocked can help you pick which bushes to dig up or what items should be moved.

 

Maintenance:

People notice when a space is not taken care of. They assume nobody cares about the space so nobody would say anything if a crime were to be committed there. This is why maintenance is so important. It not only makes people think they won’t get away with being in the space, but also creates a sense of ownership in the person doing the maintenance. They are then more likely to say something when they see something. So, pick up the litter in the nearby vacant lot. Stop people when you see them abusing your block. Your actions could even influence your neighbors to do the same. 

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Illegal Dumping

The City of Milwaukee has some tips to preventing illegal dumping on your block:

1. Keep your property and neighborhood clean

2. Report illegal dumping immediately: call 286-CITY or fill out this online form

3. Hire contractors that will properly dispose of materials

            - be proactive in finding out their process

            - if possible, put it in the contract

4. Always dispose of your own waste materials properly

            - click here for the City's waste disposal guidelines

            - bring bulky items, yard waste, and tires to one of the City's two Drop Off Centers

5. Spread the word to friends and neighbors that illegal dumping is a crime

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Recycling

Here are the City's guidelines for using their recycling services:

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