Community service in neighborhoods could help the streets stay clean. If people saw a cleaner environment, they would walk to their jobs or the grocery store or wherever instead of taking some form of transportation.
A neighborhood watch in the community would make it safe for people to walk around. Crimes occur all the time, but if the potential criminals saw groups wearing Neighborhood Watch hats or shirts, fewer crimes would take place. People would then start coming outside to walk around and sit on their own front porch instead of staying inside. They would feel safer and would walk to their friend's house or the store instead of riding the Metro or driving short distances. This would reduce the pollution in the city.
In addition to creating the freedom to walk without fear of crime and pollution, these kind of community efforts would improve the image of the neighborhood for people who live there and for visitors. I think our nation's capitol really needs this kind of improvement. And when fewer people get sick from pollution we will all feel better.
By Warren Allen