Summary: Noah Smith argues that American cities need more public safety and order to support higher density living and better transit systems. He believes that concerns about crime and disorder often lead to NIMBYism, which hinders urban development. To improve cities, we should address safety issues and learn from successful examples in Europe, Asia, and New York City.
Good public safety makes people feel safer leaving their homes — especially women, and especially at night. This makes neighborhoods more vibrant and increases the feeling of community. (View Highlight)