Limerick is a great place to live and work in. Its residents are fiercely proud of their hometown and trenchantly rebuff negative images of the city lazily painted by outsiders who should frankly focus on problems on their own doorstep.

Nevertheless, Limerick is not without its problems. Crime and anti-social behaviour are big issues here, as they are just about everywhere in the State.

While the Regeneration Project is an undoubtedly impressive endeavour to make inroads on these difficulties, it would also be wise to look after the problems which many of us take for granted; in other words, to tackle the 'little things'. Littering is not generally perceived to be a 'crime', even though it's an offence punishable by law. Given the state of streets in Limerick City ('manky' would be putting it midly), perhaps it's time to a zero-tolerance approach.

The social theory known as 'Broken Windows', devised by US sociologists James Q Wilson and George L Kelling, proposes that a building with broken windows will lead to breaking of more windows, perhaps squatting and further vandalism, in the building, and evenutally to the vacating of the neighbourhood by respectable, law-abiding residents. On the other hand if the windows are repaired, problems do not escalate. Kelling was hired by the New York City Transit Authority in 1985, and robust measures devised from the Broken Windows theory were implemented on the city's subway system.

Over six years, rates of crime plummeted. They continued to fall for a further 10 years. 'Broken Windows' isn't without its critics, who point out that the effect of 'zero tolerance' on crime is difficult to disentangle from other social trends and initiatives.

Nevertheless, it's welcome to see Cllr Joe Leddin calling for a new and concerted effect to tackle litter in Limerick, including vigorous enforcement of the litter laws.

It may not solve all our problems, but it will undoubtedly do more for the appearance of the city, and send out a message that when we say we are proud of Limerick, we mean it.It may not solve all our problems, but it will undoubtedly do more for the appearance of the city, and send out a message that when we say we are proud of Limerick, we mean it.

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