The Benefits of “Eyes on the Street”

According to Jane Jacobs, more people on our streets means safer neighborhoods

There must be eyes upon the street, eyes belonging to those we might call the natural proprietors of the street. The buildings on a street equipped to handle strangers and to insure the safety of both residents and strangers, must be oriented to the street. — Jane Jacobs

As I was reading Jane Jacobs’ book The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961), it inspired me to think about the importance of city streets. City streets are important places where people can come together and get to know each other in the neighborhood. As Jacobs states, her neighborhood in New York City, was very accessible for people, and that almost all people knew one another’s daily activities, which created a sense of social cohesion and security on the street. This is Jacobs’ example of East Village in 1961, where she knew most of her neighbors and activities taking place throughout the day.

Jacobs refers to the concept of “eyes on the street” which is the activity taking place in city streets that keeps the movement and security of the street intact. She suggests that where there is a crowd of people, our streets are safer to use because if someone is in trouble the eyes on the street are ready to assist and protect…