In here essay titled “The Use of Sidewalks: Safety,” Jacobs offers an interesting analysis on the role of sidewalks in a community. As what is often expected of her, Jacobs offers a rather contrarian view of sidewalks. I find it once again interesting to hear her out on her unconventional viewpoint

When one attempts to associate crime with a public space, often one will draw a negative image of people congregated in large amounts on the so called “streets.” In fact, the expression “to take someone of the streets” generally connotes jailing a known felon. Jacobs argues that streets, and specifically sidewalks, should be encouraging to people that venture into their walkways. Moreover, this does not inducing crime but rather hinders it.

A cohesive neighborhood is often a safe neighborhood. When people feel threatened or detached from their neighbors, inevitably crime will follow. These few points are crucial to Jacob’s overall thesis.

I am a strong believer that people generally good, and that more than not they do not take advantage of other people’s good faith. Yet, I find it hard to argue that less police officers on the streets lead to more crime. There has to be a middle ground between the two differing perspectives.

Streets and sidewalks should be designed in a fashion which encourages community inclusion and cohesion. It should also be harmonious in that is helps to identify that which is public and that which is private. Yet, there has to be an additional security layer which takes the form of police officers. Many crimes are committed by people who do not call the place in which the crime was committed home. Sidewalks and other public spaces are limited to who they can unite and what they can achieve. Thus, I am inclined to believe that sidewalks must both integrate a neighborhood yet yield to the authority of police.