During a recent business meeting with some partners, we discussed about the inability of the local government of Zamboanga City to impose strict policy compliance to its constituents.

One of the senior business partners mentioned that we should learn from the "Broken Window" theory to instill in each person in Zamboanga discipline. He explained that the broken window concept came from a place in the United States that had a problem on houses and establishments' broken window glasses. During the evening, gangs would throw stones to the windows. The action that was taken was not to pursue the culprits. What the local administrators did was to replace the glasses the next day it was broken. In time, the culprits noticed this and thought that they are being monitored by the authorities.

I tend to agree with this theory. When I was staying in a dormitory during my college days, we use to have a sink full of dirty plates and glasses. Sometimes, I wash the dishes when I see the pile. After many times of doing this, my dormmates felt ashamed and they were able to learn to wash their plates immediately after eating their meals.

I hope that some problems in the community can be resolved or at least be minimized. The "Broken Window" theory is worth a try.