Block Watch Signs are Useless:
High Crime Design Proposal
Matthew Esaw
301026471
Communications 325
March 23, 2011
Burglaries are terrifying to the general public, especially within a small neighborhood or community. Not only is the victim’s property at risk, but also the knowledge of a stranger invading the victim’s personal living space can be terrifying. Nowadays thieves are getting smarter, they are finding ways to terrorize and exploit specific communities without getting caught. As visual communicators, we need to find ways to inform and educate members of these high crime communities that their property and livelihood is at risk.
The distant community that borders Richmond and New Westminster is one such area that has been recently terrorized by a slue of burglaries. On paper, Hamilton (Richmond) and Queensborough (New Westminster) are two separate communities on either sides of Boundary Road. However, in reality these two communities are very similar. A Highway, which spans over miles and miles of farmland, separates Hamilton from the rest of the Richmond. Likewise, a constantly congested bridge, which goes across the Fraser River, divides Queensborough from the rest of New Westminster (Annex C). Being so far away from their city centers, Hamilton and Queensborough are often forgotten and neglected when it comes to local funding and policing (Richmond Review, March 03, 2011). Needless to say, the crime rate in these areas have increased over the years, and more recently, the amount of break and enters (“B and Es”) have risen 40% since December 2010.
The problem stems to the fact that “there are still many residents in the area who do not know that these incidents have been happening and are not taking the necessary steps to protect their families and homes.” (Van Den Hemel, 2011) The local Block Watch program serves as the distribution of information about the increased crime rate, however only the members of Block Watch are aware of issues in the neighborhood. Block Watch signs are scattered throughout the community as a means to deter criminals, however, when looking at the recent statistics and heightened criminal activity, this form of visualization is clearly not working.
I am proposing a new design in order to educate or inform members of a neighborhood that the crime rate has increased in their area. I have been thinking of making a street sign so that residents can be constantly exposed to the image. The method of implementation will be areas that have recently seen a higher risk of crime. Once the crime rate has fallen in that area or the perpetrators have been caught, the signs would be taken down.
After reading Erwin Panofsky’s “Study in Iconology,” I started brainstorming and organizing various icons so that the design will have ‘symbolical’ value or a close association to the issue I am trying to represent to the audience; as seen in my various sketches in Annex A & B (S. Manghani, A. Piper & J. Simons, 91). I want to create a new innovative design so members of a neighborhood will notice and be more vigilant with their home security in addition to act as a deterrent to burglars and other criminals. When reviewing Tufte’s article, “The Fundamental principles of Analytical Design,” I plan on using his six principles to simplify the image in order to make the design clear and concise and esthetically appealing.
On top of creating a street sign, I am planning on creating a brief public service announcement with the intent of playing it over the Internet and television. The PSA would inform the general public and give a quick explanation of the proposed visualization design. If I have time, I also want to create a website so curious residents could find more information about the new design in their neighborhood.
For this project, I will require a video camera, a mic and a tripod. I will also like access additional information on website design so I can make the website look more professional.
Bibliography
Ritcher, B. (2011, March). “Queensborough Break-ins Prompt Warning from Police.” New West Record. Retrieved from: http://www.royalcityrecord.com/Queensborough+break+prompt+warning+from+police/4386099/story.html
Sunil Manghani, Arthur Piper and Jon Simons (2006) Images: A Reader. SAGE Publications Ltd.
Tufte, Edwards (n.d) The Fundamental principles of Analytical Design
Van Den Hemel, M. (2011, March). “Hamilton Residents Want More Police Patrols After Rash of Break-ins.” Richmond Review. Retrieved from: http://www.bclocalnews.com/richmond_southdelta/richmondreview/news/117270913.html
“Hamilton Needs a Stronger Policing Presence.” (2011, March). Richmond Review. Retrieved from: http://www.bclocalnews.com/richmond_southdelta/richmondreview/news/117272863.html
“Police Note Surge in Queensborough Break-ins.” (2011, March). Newwestnewsleader.com. Retrieved from: http://www.bclocalnews.com/greater_vancouver/newwestminsternewsleader/news/117410458.html
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