Are you familiar with the broken window theory? In their famous 1982 article “Broken Windows,” James Wilson and George Kelling wrote:

Consider a building with a few broken windows. If the windows are not repaired, the tendency is for vandals to break a few more windows. Eventually, they may even break into the building, and if it’s unoccupied, perhaps become squatters or light fires inside.

Or consider a sidewalk. Some litter accumulates. Soon, more litter accumulates. Eventually, people even start leaving bags of trash from take-out restaurants there or breaking into cars.

Keeping your neighborhood clean and attractive are two of the most crucial steps toward keeping it safe. Renew Pittsburgh, a volunteer group committed to just what it calls itself, is taking this matter into its own hands and organizing a series of neighborhood clean-up days through the rest of the summer.

Click here to see when Renew Pittsburgh will be in your neighborhood. For questions, comments, or to volunteer, contact Kevin Acklin, Renew Pittsburgh’s executive director, at (412) 404-6630 or at Kevin (at) RenewPittsburgh.com