I live in a "Top 10 most dangerous cities in the U.S." What can I do to help?

It seems like
the most common solution for people who are educated and well off is to move. To get out
of the situation, which is understandable. However, this causes a brain drain and leave the
city in a worse place.
I don't want to do that, I want to uplift if I can. What is the micro thing I can do today, that
can have a chance of a macro change tomorrow?

burlesona on Nov 6, 2020 | next [–]

The single best thing you can do is pick a neighborhood - not the whole city - and invest deeply.
Get to know everyone in the neighborhood and understand what they want and need, then try to
find ways to bring that.
When you have a strong network of neighbors and a little bit of cash, you can ramp up investment
by cleaning up dirty corners and getting the basic services that a neighborhood is missing.
Here’s an example of how folks in Memphis, TN did this Over
time: https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2020/5/21/this-is-what-w...
If you’re interested in connecting with people who already have this mindset, there are a lot of
them in Strong Towns, and there may even be a group in your area.
bko on Nov 6, 2020 | parent | next [–]

> When you have a strong network of neighbors and a little bit of cash, you can ramp up
investment by cleaning up dirty corners and getting the basic services that a neighborhood is
missing.
I don't think you need a network to begin cleaning up dirty corners.
Just pick up garbage you see on the street when you walk around. It has an immediate
impact, is easy and doesn't cost anything. Other people may see it and may begin doing that
as well. I'm surprised more people don't do.
If you want, you can make a facebook group telling people you're going to be picking up
garbage at a certain time, if anyone would like to join.
Garbage on the street has a very negative externality as people are less mindful of tossing
garbage if there is already garbage on the street. It also strips people of dignity about where
they live and can have other negative side-effects to the neighborhood or even promote
lawlessness.
burlesona on Nov 6, 2020 | root | parent | next [–]

This is a fair point, but FWIW I worded this the way I did because I think the network
of neighbors is ultimately more important than the physical work, and should have top
priority.
But you’re right that you can start by picking up trash, and in fact that can be a good
mechanism to meet the neighbors and build the network, depending on how you
approach it.
spodek on Nov 7, 2020 | root | parent | prev | next [–]

I recently passed day 1,300 of picking up at least one piece of trash per day. It's not
my only civic contribution, but it's deeply rewarding. I've also switched from jogging
to plogging.
Some results:
It's gotten me on TV a couple times.
It's led to working with my city councilman, whose team recently started organizing
group pickups.
Someone considering a Senate run contacted me for advice on sustainability.
I'm working with a few corporations to organize nationwide pickup events -- mainly
fitness places you'd probably know the names of.
As a regular in my local park, the drug dealers there have become friendly with me,
leading to long conversations about life.
I'm friends with entrepreneurs in the field.
People often thank me and we talk.
It reinforces my diet. I avoid packaged food, which I find increasingly disgusting,
largely for what the packaging does to the world and the entitlement, willful
ignorance, and salt/sugar/fat/convenience addiction does to our culture.
Most of all, I feel connected to my community.
On the downside, my view of human nature can get dark when I consider how much
people pollute.
thadk on Nov 7, 2020 | root | parent | next [–]

Along similar lines, our open source React Native app at Code for Boston for
iOS and Android is in beta testing from the last several years of
work: https://github.com/codeforboston/plogalong – if there is interest I think
there is some sort of UDID-oriented URL they can send you to load on your
phone. Accepting new contributors on Tuesday nights ET.
spodek on Nov 7, 2020 | root | parent | next [–]

Glad to see the project but not sure how I would use it. I'm friends with
the founder of Litterati, but even that app is too much trouble for me to
use. I don't bring a phone when I plog.
Still, I value tracking since it's fun and I think would motivate people. If
my experience or practice can help, I'd be happy to.
mistermann on Nov 7, 2020 | root | parent | prev | next [–]

Any anecdotes from the drug dealer conversations you wouldn't mind sharing?
They must have a bit of a unique take on things.
spodek on Nov 7, 2020 | root | parent | next [–]

No meaningful anecdotes since we mostly just talk.

Typical topics:
- They ask why I do it
- They tell me how the others are at the ends of their ropes but that I
couldn't understand that situation without being there
- They call me good a lot.
- They tell me how others litter but never themselves.
- They tell me I should use gloves (I don't because I'm avoiding creating
more trash)
- They tell me how the people who are supposed to clean don't clean that
well
 - Of course, they ask if I want to buy drugs or at least buy them dinner
from a food truck
None of them ask me about my life, my values, etc. No meaningful
connections. Just chit-chat. We'll see if things evolve.
dnautics on Nov 7, 2020 | root | parent | prev | next [–]

I've been doing this, one trash bag full a week.

PopeDotNinja on Nov 6, 2020 | root | parent | prev | next [–]

Just put a Buddha statue on the corner!

https://www.pri.org/stories/2014-11-19/how-buddhist-shrine-t...
abeppu on Nov 7, 2020 | root | parent | next [–]

I think maybe you're paying attention to the wrong part of that story. It's not
the act of putting out the Buddha statue; it's the continuous care that a
community of people put around the Buddha. The neighbor that plonked down
the statue just contributed a statue. The community of Buddhists who adopted
it, brought flowers, cleaned and improved the area are all doing exactly what
the grandparent comment described.