Problems Facing Todays Communities - Essay Example

HERE HERE YOUR HERE HERE Problems Facing Today’s Communities There are a wide variety of problems facing both the rural and the urban community, including unusually high numbers of burglaries in an apartment building which causes resident anxiety, panhandling, prostitution and general residents simply harassing other residents (Bureau of Justice Assistance, 19). Though there are likely a far broader scope of issues, it does tend to illustrate that today’s problems can lead to future problems and must be addressed appropriately and within manageable community restrictions. Of course, the majority of the aforementioned problems are unique to the urban community, however the suburban and rural communities are plagued with problems as well. Losses of populations, decaying infrastructure, and lack of investor support are included in the suburban struggle (Wagner, 9). It would be reasonable to assume that as populations lessen in a specific suburban area, lack of tax revenues and other appropriate assistance policies are reduced from a financial perspective. This would have a trickle down effect which would lead to lack of improvement in infrastructure (including buildings, roads, facilities, etc.). At this point, a suburban region might become less-maintained than that of other buildings and community structures, leading to investors not wanting to do business in that region of the country. When urban planning committees and similar groups are planning out projects, they are forced to manage complex budget issues, which is why loss of population is a large-scale issue. Most people might consider that suburban issues would not involve those other than criminal which reinforces the importance of using proper planning tools to create a framework of action which befits the regional problem. With the issues described relating to infrastructure and improvements in communities, these would likely require knowledge of finance and multi-task management in the face of budget problems. The solution to this problem may very well lie in assessing the management structure of various planning committees and responsible parties obligated to suburban improvement and see if any problems exist in coordination and control at the heart of the improvement effort. The rural community, as well, faces different problems than other communities. One particular problem is related to agriculture and the pesticides used in preserving and protecting crops. Sometimes the chemicals remain locked in the soil for years after use and cause risks to human health (Planning with Power.org, 1). This leads to problems both today and in the future in the face of contamination and uncertain soil conditions. In rural areas, many people live adjacent to these agricultural centers and will require periodic testing of their soils to ensure that it is safe to grow a fertile and healthy crop. Since many residents in the rural community depend on the income from agricultural products, this would represent a serious risk to their future planning in the event that a field simply could not be planted. The solution to this risk might simply be to monitor and limit the soil’s exposure to potentially-hazardous materials and resort to more natural forms of pesticide. A variety of plants use natural chemical releases to keep certain insects away and, with research into this phenomenon, community leaders and agricultural experts could unlock the doors of eco-friendly pest control. In order to prevent future problems in communities, there is no better solution than simple communication (Berman & Anderson, 4). Everyone within the community, including business professionals, general citizens, and educational professionals should be taken into consideration when determining what is most appropriate for the community. Asking questions which draw out their personal requirements as well as what aspects of the community are not working for them is the first step in creating an open-communication forum whereby community solutions can be discussed and planned. It is illogical to create policies which are established without this basic foundation. From the urban community to the rural community, understanding what motivates and drives individual citizens is the first step in understanding how to create a fitting community plan of action. In the urban region, setting up a more decentralized policing system is a possible solution to future community problems. Under most systems, there is a well-established hierarchy of police activities by which they are expected to conform. By dividing the community areas into small patrolling areas in which specific officers maintain a publicized presence can allow local citizens to become familiar with their patrolling officers. It generally takes time to build a quality relationship and having community-minded officers taking part in local activities within that specific community (regardless of it being urban, rural or suburban) would be highly beneficial for all community members. From a psychological point of view, having a trustworthy authority figure that they are familiar with can give them the motivation to approach the patrolling figure and discuss issues of concern or contentment. This type of improvement could easily be coordinated by using existing resources and not straining police budgets. Engaging the community in order to address issues appears to be at the foundation of what motivates a quality community program when problems exist. Future problems stemming from infrastructure problems, agricultural decay, and criminal activities would surely erode the stability of life in all areas which strongly reinforces their need to be corrected today. Neglected manufacturing facilities and roadways will only provide a less-inviting environment to live and work within, making them crucial to repair and maintain today. By approaching local community citizens with an open-mined approach, a larger pool of ideas on how best to make improvements can be offered. This may seem to be unrealistic in terms of potential budget problems, however if community citizens believed that they would be benefactors of such a survey, they would likely participate by taking the action to drop off their opinion assessments at local drop boxes or agencies. Though this would not cure all of the proverbial diseases, it is a proper focus toward understanding solutions to enhance community living. Communities must, however, not rely on various agencies or programs to fix their urban, rural or suburban problems, it must start in the household and neighborhood as well. Community represents a communal living environment in which diverse lifestyles and beliefs exist, making it important for people to find their own appropriate connections with one another. Quality relationships begin with neighborly interactions, setting the foundation for a much brighter future community. Despite all of the listed problems in communities, it is important to understand that there are appropriate solutions if the local regions focus less on restrictions and more on possibilities. There are surely a wide variety of programs and agencies in effect which are adequate to the needs of the local communities and should be allowed to continue. However, it appears that with the proper strategic planning and assessment of local needs, workable community programs can be achieved. Bibliography Berman, G. & David Anderson. “Engaging the Community: A Guide for Community Justice Planners”. Center for Court Innovation. Retrieved 8 Nov 2008 from Bureau of Justice Assistance. “Understanding Community Policing: A Framework for Action”. U.S. Department of Justice - Office of Justice Programs. Retrieved 8 Nov 2008 from Planning with Power.org. “Brownfields: A Rural Community Problem”. L.E. Dorworth Department of Biological Sciences. Perdue University, Hammond IL. 2004. Retrieved 8 Nov 2008 from Wagner, Daniel G. “Addressing the Difficulties of Inner-Ring Suburbs: A Case Study of Lakewood Ohio”. College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning. University of Cincinnati. 2002. Retrieved 8 Nov 2008 from Read More