psychology

From Ramey Johnson’s Newletter The decay and decline in our community are visible, real, growing, and palpable. Driving along 6th Avenue (though managed by CDOT) feels like a scavenger hunt through cans, rags, tires, car parts, cardboard, overgrown weeds, buckets of dirt, broken glass, and filth. On West 14th Avenue and nearby side streets, the scene is equally disheartening: homeless encampments, tents, graffiti, fenced-off vacant lots, trash, needles, and even human feces have become the norm. Colfax has all but collapsed. Every block from Sheridan to beyond Simms is littered with For Sale and For Lease signs, boarded-up buildings, graffiti, shattered storefronts, shuttered businesses, and abandoned shopping carts – sometimes overflowing with belongings. Businesses are fleeing this once-thriving street. But what does it do to the psyche of those of us who call Lakewood home—and pay property taxes – to live amid decay, squalor, and a declining local economy? Having grown up here, I decided to find out. As it turns out, researchers have studied this very thing. The most familiar is the “Broken Windows Theory.” This criminological concept uses broken windows as a metaphor for anti-social behavior and civil disorder. It draws a stark contrast between caring and apathy toward the physical appearance of a neighborhood. Visible signs of crime and neglect, like broken windows, create an environment that encourages further crime and disorder. The theory suggests that addressing small offenses and maintaining physical order can help prevent more serious crimes. Rooted in the idea of social disorder, Wilson and Kelling argue that such disorder erodes community cohesion and the sense of safety among residents, making neighborhoods an easy target for criminals. Whoa. I needed to know more. As I dug deeper, I discovered that the psychology of living in a decayed environment has been studied extensively, and it offers sobering insights into the psyche of those who call such areas home. Here’s what I found: A 2010 study even found that wives who perceived their homes as cluttered had higher cortisol levels. That one struck a chord with me. CORTISOL – the so-called “stress hormone” produced by the adrenal glands – plays a key role in regulating metabolism, immune response, and blood pressure. But when cortisol levels remain high over time, the health consequences can be serious. After reading these findings, I realized: this isn’t just about potholes, weeds, or trash. The residents of Lakewood may be experiencing a profound shift in our communal psyche, and it’s not in our best interest. As for me, I feel embarrassed and even ashamed to show out-of-town guests my city. Every time I drive down 6th Avenue, I’m hit with irritation and anger. I see people stop caring for their own properties, and I understand why. Why should anyone care when they live next to a “city right of way” where weeds grow five feet tall and filth piles up along the roadside? When we live amid decay and squalor, it becomes easier to toss trash out the car window. If our city is crumbling and its leaders aren’t addressing the degradation, what difference does it make? For some, instead of continuing to fight for our city by writing letters, showing up at meetings, and pleading with city council, they choose flight. Longtime residents are leaving if they have the means. For those who don’t, the symptoms I outlined earlier only deepen and spread. Many questions, but no answers: At the end of the 2024 legislative session, Governor Polis introduced HB24-1313, which designates a half-mile on either side of light rail lines as “Transit-Oriented High Density” zones. It passed. Applied to Lakewood, that half-mile swath encompasses Colfax and 14th Avenue. Meanwhile, six Colorado cities, Arvada, Aurora, Glendale, Greenwood Village, Lafayette, and Westminster, are suing Governor Polis and the state over recent housing legislation (HB24-1313), claiming it violates their home-rule authority. They argue the new laws infringe on their ability to govern local land use. One bill focuses on dramatically increasing density near transit. WHY hasn’t Lakewood joined this lawsuit? We are a home-rule city too. Zoning is a local issue. This bill never should have been introduced by the governor – or passed. No two cities are alike. And yet, both of our state representatives, Monica Duran and Rebekah Stewart, voted YES. Does supporting a lame-duck governor hold more value for them than representing the best interests of the people who elected them? WHY? In the end, we must all ask ourselves: Has the decay and deterioration surrounding us in Lakewood become our personal norm? The majority of this neglect falls squarely at the feet of our city government. The question is: Are we willing to keep fighting—or will we flee? If you’re as concerned as I am, let’s not stay silent. Contact our city council, demand answers, and refuse to let Lakewood’s decline continue unchecked. Together, we can hold our leaders accountable and fight for the city we deserve. Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. I welcome and appreciate your comments. With warm regards,Ramey Johnson