The movement of individuals and their frequent encroachment on personal space in public settings (particularly those located in urban environments) poses unique challenges.
These encounters consist of numerous types of interactions, norms, and unwritten rules that people follow or engage in or with in a multitude of places.
These exchanges also lead to a complex dance among individuals exposed to these situations
In bustling cities like Tokyo, pedestrians like motorists, appear to adhere to a structured set of rules. However, the situation drastically changes in places like New York City, where crowded sidewalks can lead to a constant jockeying for safe unencumbered passage. Likewise, instances of people exiting retail stores without considering those on the sidewalk are common.
This nonchalant behavior extends to various urban settings, including street markets, and cultural and sports venues. Even in spaces like movie theaters and mass transportation systems (e.g., seat hogging, unwanted touching, loud conversations or media, etc.), the lack of awareness about personal space is evident, with individuals encroaching on the space of others. “Yo lady. Would you please stop pulling the back of my seat every time you get up from yours? “
Some of of these interactions are conscious or unconscious, contestations ornegotiations over personal power, as if to say “who moves first”?
Undoubtedly, social and cultural factors come in to play when trying to understandpeoples use of public space and perceptions of encroachment.
Identifying the “Space Invaders”
From young (often un or poorly supervised) children, to senior citizens, to individuals unaccustomed to constrictive urban conditions, there are numerous “space invaders.” They are oblivious to their immediate surroundings. The consequence of such behavior often leads to unease and conflict when personal space is perceived to being threatend. (Just look at the numerous social media posts of irate airplane passengers, if you don’t believe me.).
Further exploring the Problem:
Lack of awareness regarding other people’s personal space in public areas can not only lead to people feeling uncomfortable, but can escalate into physical confrontations. Heightening public consciousness about respecting personal space might be helpful to prevent these sorts of situations.
Proposed Solutions:
Despite the cries of infantilizing the public, one suggestion to lessen the frequency of this kind of invasion of public space might be to use or increase the use of signs directing pedestrians and patrons on where, and how to walk, stand, etc. Using signs to clearly demarcate pedestrian walkways, and directional flow is warranted. Beyond signage, jurisdictions could explore integrating new types of technology, urban planning initiatives, and community engagement efforts toprovide a more holistic approach to the issue.
Moving on
The challenges posed by people encroaching on others personal space are undeniable. By understanding the nuances of different dynamics and addressing the issue of space invaders, we can contribute to creating more harmonious and respectful public spaces. Until then, this issue is simply one of several urban incivilities that people must deal with. This involves not only clear signage, but also a deeper exploration of cultural, social, and technological solutions to promote awareness and considerate behavior.
Photo Credit
Photographer Alex Proimos
Title: Pedestrians on a crosswalk in Buenos Aires
https://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2024-01-07-at-1.08.51 AM.png11401714Jeffrey Ian Rosshttps://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/jeffrey-ian-ross-logo-04.pngJeffrey Ian Ross2024-01-07 12:51:262024-09-22 12:19:37Navigating “Space Invaders” in Public Life
Well, that assumes she’s still alive, cares about the quirks of her former students, and, frankly, remembers me at all.
Let me take you back a few decades. Grade eight typing class was one of my numerous academic struggles. My thirteen-year-old hands just wouldn’t cooperate with the commands my brain sent them. I can still picture the look of disdain on my typing teacher’s face as I sheepishly handed in my assignments.
I felt I was doomed to a life of hand-written notes, letters, and term papers, Fast forward ten years, and typing became a significant part of my daily routine.
Not surprisingly, this blog is one of the many activities that put those typing skills to good use.
Every discipline has a number of foundational books, corrections is no different, and most experts studying jails, prisons, etc. have a list of their favorite works. Thus, I figured that the time was ripe to share mine more widely. Not only would I typically share this list with my graduate students, but I might give this list to give people I communicate with behind bars who are interested in this sort of thing. P.S. This post generated a handful of suggestions from other scholars.
On January 7, 2023 Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old unarmed African-American man was stopped by Memphis police officers, who were part of the controversial SCORPION tactical squad, and beaten to death. This incident, like so many similar ones in recent years would have been quickly ignored, but the fact that this model of aggressive policing had, in recent years, been criticized because of its inability to produce results, the violence it engaged in, and legal suits raised not just moral and ethical questions, but called into question the way that contemporary policing was being conducted in some jurisdictions in the United States. It appeared that police were simply going through the motions, rarely test their actions, and that police are not strategic.
Life, and more specifically careers and creative work are full of conscious and unconscious choices, and some are better than others. Creatives, entrepreneurs, etc. are often advised to choose projects that appear easy to accomplish. But equally important is the reality that the return on investment with these endeavors are sometimes not really worth the actual investment of resources (esp. time). The blog post attempts to explore the vicissitudes of this issue.
Since starting the blog, I have written a few posts about books and movies that I believe are interesting and pivotal. I thought it would be prudent to write one on one about the most important books that motivated me to pursue my masters degree. Not only did Why Men Rebel prompt me to consider and start graduate school, but I purposely sought out to work with Gurr, and can legitimately say that he was one of my first academic mentors. Not only is Why Men Rebel, a highly cited book, but it kicked off his career, and those of many scholars focusing on conflict studies.
Graffiti and Street Art are pervasive in most urban locations, and it appears as if almost everyone has an opinion on whether they like it and who and why they do it. But few people question their assumptions surrounding their opinions on this subject. One of the most significant opinions about graffiti and street art revolves around the meaning and purpose of this act of vandalism. This post tries to dissect the often romantic perspective that graffiti and street art are primarily acts of rebellion, protest or resistance. The reality is that there are lots of different types of graffiti and street and practitioners too, and to make broad sweeping generalizations about why people engage in this activity is foolhardy to say the least.
One of the recurrent questions prospective job candidates for academic jobs in Criminology/Criminal Justice and junior criminologists face is should they collaborate on research with or for a local criminal justice agency. This post explores both the advantages and disadvantages of this type of decision.
Another issue concerns using the information gleaned from formal instruction in the field of Criminology/Criminal Justice to assist one in malicious behavior. On December 30 2022, a graduate student in the doctoral program in Criminology at Washington State University, was charged with murder of four Idaho State University students. Not only do these types of sorts of stories titillate the public imagination, but frequenly force certain members of the public to ask just what people learn in the typical criminology/criminal justice curriculum.
In trying to navigate the complicated nature of most trades and professions one of the questions is should you join a professional organization, which one is best, and what are the costs and benefits of doing so? This post applies this question to the subject area of Criminology/Criminal Justice.
Earning a Ph.D. is a resource intensive endeavor, but how do you make the best choice and minimize risk in choosing what to study and where?. Thus, one of the logical questions, particularly if you live in the part of the country, or a country where a PhD in Criminology/Criminal Justice does not exist, is what are the potential cost-benefit calculations you might confront if you decide to persue doctoral studies in an allied field?
Similar to the post that looked at graffiti and street art as resistance, this one considered whether this type of vandalism is done to further social justice issues. The short answer is some of it is, and some of it does not. The post tries to identify the contexts where we see graffiti and street art more prominently throughout the urban landscape as a commentary on social justice issues.
Wrapping Up
In closing, I want to express my sincere gratitude to my family, friends, and colleagues who have generously provided constructive feedback on selected draft posts before publication. Heartfelt appreciation also goes out to all my readers, particularly those who have taken the time to respond, share suggestions, and contribute their valuable experiences related to the topics I’ve explored.
Your ongoing engagement and support have been instrumental in shaping the direction of this blog.
Thank you for being a vital part of this community, and here’s to another year of growth and shared experiences.
As I look ahead to 2024, I hope to maintain the same level of productivity and creativity as I did in 2023. I’m dedicated to delivering content that is compelling, thought-provoking, and occasionally evoke genuine moments of laughter throughout the journey.
Photo Credit
Photographer: Kiran Foster
Title: Typing
https://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/5760476367_77ce16bf12_c.jpg600800Jeffrey Ian Rosshttps://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/jeffrey-ian-ross-logo-04.pngJeffrey Ian Ross2023-12-30 06:22:502023-12-30 06:22:50Would my eighth-grade typing teacher be proud of me now?
Although we could examine why users don’t pay their way on to public transportation systems, I think it’s more helpful to look at the police side of the equation.
While it’s possible that the officers could be doing law enforcement related work on their phones, the recurrent nature of this behavior, and other contextual factors, raises doubts.
Challenges Faced by Police
Indeed, there are rationale reasons why officers in these situations are on their phones and/or fail or are reluctant to intervene. To begin with, standing around all day, watching people go through turnstiles and answering mundane questions when approached by members of the public can be excruciatingly boring and checking one’s phone can break the monotony.
More germane however, is that since the 1970s the efficacy of police patrol to achieve “common sense” goals (e.g., capture criminals, deter crime, and reduce citizen fear and create feelings of safety) has been called into question. Also, the so-called Ferguson Effect, and calls to defund the police, have made law enforcement a more embattled profession. Moreover, numerous heavily criticized cases of police arresting (and injuring) young, disproportionately African-American, persons who have failed to pay fares have garnered considerable negative public attention.
Impact on Public Perception
But what are law abiding citizens to make of police hanging around Metro/subway stations, checking their phones, and not intervening? Although some users may feel better having officers physically present in subway stations, regardless of them checking their phones, (or huddling together, talking with each other), the most logical assumption is that police don’t care. More importantly, is just a bad use of public safety resources and can contribute to the negative perceptions of police.
And assuming that their supervisors are unaware of this type of police behavior would be naïve to say the least.
A Call for Change
Instead of having officers passively monitor metro/subway stations, a more proactive approach is needed. I’m not suggesting that law enforcement agencies need to crack down on fare evaders, nor we should enter into a situation of overpolicing, like we witnessed in jurisdictions like New York City, with the decade plus (2002-2013) long disastrous experience with “Stop and Frisk.”
Police departments, on the other hand, need to collaborate with city authorities and transit system, to thoroughly explore innovative, creative, and nonconfrontational solutions to address fare evasion. And if this is being done already, then the police and the news media need to draw attention to this collaboration.
Police departments should also actively dialogue with affected communities, and seek input on appropriate strategies. Implementing community policing initiatives, where officers build trust through positive interactions, might also help to reshape perceptions and encourage public cooperation.
Specific recommendations are essential. Doing nothing or accepting business as usual in the case of policing and public safety, regardless of how minor the crime, isn’t helpful for the public, nor the police.
Photo Credit
Photographer: Joe Shlabotnik
Title: Policemen At West 4th Station
They weren’t in costume. They were actual policemen.
https://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/288622141_2283db4b99_w.jpg301400Jeffrey Ian Rosshttps://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/jeffrey-ian-ross-logo-04.pngJeffrey Ian Ross2023-12-24 11:57:532024-02-04 04:26:51“Hang up and Police?”
Navigating “Space Invaders” in Public Life
/by Jeffrey Ian RossThe movement of individuals and their frequent encroachment on personal space in public settings (particularly those located in urban environments) poses unique challenges.
These encounters consist of numerous types of interactions, norms, and unwritten rules that people follow or engage in or with in a multitude of places.
These exchanges also lead to a complex dance among individuals exposed to these situations
In bustling cities like Tokyo, pedestrians like motorists, appear to adhere to a structured set of rules. However, the situation drastically changes in places like New York City, where crowded sidewalks can lead to a constant jockeying for safe unencumbered passage. Likewise, instances of people exiting retail stores without considering those on the sidewalk are common.
This nonchalant behavior extends to various urban settings, including street markets, and cultural and sports venues. Even in spaces like movie theaters and mass transportation systems (e.g., seat hogging, unwanted touching, loud conversations or media, etc.), the lack of awareness about personal space is evident, with individuals encroaching on the space of others. “Yo lady. Would you please stop pulling the back of my seat every time you get up from yours? “
Some of of these interactions are conscious or unconscious, contestations or negotiations over personal power, as if to say “who moves first”?
Undoubtedly, social and cultural factors come in to play when trying to understand peoples use of public space and perceptions of encroachment.
Identifying the “Space Invaders”
From young (often un or poorly supervised) children, to senior citizens, to individuals unaccustomed to constrictive urban conditions, there are numerous “space invaders.” They are oblivious to their immediate surroundings. The consequence of such behavior often leads to unease and conflict when personal space is perceived to being threatend. (Just look at the numerous social media posts of irate airplane passengers, if you don’t believe me.).
Further exploring the Problem:
Lack of awareness regarding other people’s personal space in public areas can not only lead to people feeling uncomfortable, but can escalate into physical confrontations. Heightening public consciousness about respecting personal space might be helpful to prevent these sorts of situations.
Proposed Solutions:
Despite the cries of infantilizing the public, one suggestion to lessen the frequency of this kind of invasion of public space might be to use or increase the use of signs directing pedestrians and patrons on where, and how to walk, stand, etc. Using signs to clearly demarcate pedestrian walkways, and directional flow is warranted. Beyond signage, jurisdictions could explore integrating new types of technology, urban planning initiatives, and community engagement efforts to provide a more holistic approach to the issue.
Moving on
The challenges posed by people encroaching on others personal space are undeniable. By understanding the nuances of different dynamics and addressing the issue of space invaders, we can contribute to creating more harmonious and respectful public spaces. Until then, this issue is simply one of several urban incivilities that people must deal with. This involves not only clear signage, but also a deeper exploration of cultural, social, and technological solutions to promote awareness and considerate behavior.
Photo Credit
Photographer Alex Proimos
Title: Pedestrians on a crosswalk in Buenos Aires
Would my eighth-grade typing teacher be proud of me now?
/by Jeffrey Ian RossWell, that assumes she’s still alive, cares about the quirks of her former students, and, frankly, remembers me at all.
Let me take you back a few decades. Grade eight typing class was one of my numerous academic struggles. My thirteen-year-old hands just wouldn’t cooperate with the commands my brain sent them. I can still picture the look of disdain on my typing teacher’s face as I sheepishly handed in my assignments.
I felt I was doomed to a life of hand-written notes, letters, and term papers, Fast forward ten years, and typing became a significant part of my daily routine.
Not surprisingly, this blog is one of the many activities that put those typing skills to good use.
Since starting the blog, at the end of each calendar year, I provide a list, links, and brief description of the most popular blog posts I wrote over the past 365 days.
And I see no reason now to break with tradition. So here they are:
My top recommended nonfiction books in the field of corrections in the United States
Every discipline has a number of foundational books, corrections is no different, and most experts studying jails, prisons, etc. have a list of their favorite works. Thus, I figured that the time was ripe to share mine more widely. Not only would I typically share this list with my graduate students, but I might give this list to give people I communicate with behind bars who are interested in this sort of thing. P.S. This post generated a handful of suggestions from other scholars.
Tyre Nichols and the reality of police reform in the United States
On January 7, 2023 Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old unarmed African-American man was stopped by Memphis police officers, who were part of the controversial SCORPION tactical squad, and beaten to death. This incident, like so many similar ones in recent years would have been quickly ignored, but the fact that this model of aggressive policing had, in recent years, been criticized because of its inability to produce results, the violence it engaged in, and legal suits raised not just moral and ethical questions, but called into question the way that contemporary policing was being conducted in some jurisdictions in the United States. It appeared that police were simply going through the motions, rarely test their actions, and that police are not strategic.
Some low hanging fruit is just rotten
Life, and more specifically careers and creative work are full of conscious and unconscious choices, and some are better than others. Creatives, entrepreneurs, etc. are often advised to choose projects that appear easy to accomplish. But equally important is the reality that the return on investment with these endeavors are sometimes not really worth the actual investment of resources (esp. time). The blog post attempts to explore the vicissitudes of this issue.
On the importance of Ted Robert Gurr’s WHY MEN REBEL
Since starting the blog, I have written a few posts about books and movies that I believe are interesting and pivotal. I thought it would be prudent to write one on one about the most important books that motivated me to pursue my masters degree. Not only did Why Men Rebel prompt me to consider and start graduate school, but I purposely sought out to work with Gurr, and can legitimately say that he was one of my first academic mentors. Not only is Why Men Rebel, a highly cited book, but it kicked off his career, and those of many scholars focusing on conflict studies.
Questioning Graffiti and Street Art as acts of resistance
Graffiti and Street Art are pervasive in most urban locations, and it appears as if almost everyone has an opinion on whether they like it and who and why they do it. But few people question their assumptions surrounding their opinions on this subject. One of the most significant opinions about graffiti and street art revolves around the meaning and purpose of this act of vandalism. This post tries to dissect the often romantic perspective that graffiti and street art are primarily acts of rebellion, protest or resistance. The reality is that there are lots of different types of graffiti and street and practitioners too, and to make broad sweeping generalizations about why people engage in this activity is foolhardy to say the least.
Should Criminologists partner with local criminal justice agencies to conduct research?
One of the recurrent questions prospective job candidates for academic jobs in Criminology/Criminal Justice and junior criminologists face is should they collaborate on research with or for a local criminal justice agency. This post explores both the advantages and disadvantages of this type of decision.
Does earning a degree in Criminology/Criminal Justice allow someone to get away with murder?
Another issue concerns using the information gleaned from formal instruction in the field of Criminology/Criminal Justice to assist one in malicious behavior. On December 30 2022, a graduate student in the doctoral program in Criminology at Washington State University, was charged with murder of four Idaho State University students. Not only do these types of sorts of stories titillate the public imagination, but frequenly force certain members of the public to ask just what people learn in the typical criminology/criminal justice curriculum.
Should aspiring Criminologists join the prominent learned societies in their field of study?
In trying to navigate the complicated nature of most trades and professions one of the questions is should you join a professional organization, which one is best, and what are the costs and benefits of doing so? This post applies this question to the subject area of Criminology/Criminal Justice.
Should You Earn a PhD in Criminology/Criminal Justice or an Allied Field?
Earning a Ph.D. is a resource intensive endeavor, but how do you make the best choice and minimize risk in choosing what to study and where?. Thus, one of the logical questions, particularly if you live in the part of the country, or a country where a PhD in Criminology/Criminal Justice does not exist, is what are the potential cost-benefit calculations you might confront if you decide to persue doctoral studies in an allied field?
Exploring how graffiti and street art calls attention to social justice issues
Similar to the post that looked at graffiti and street art as resistance, this one considered whether this type of vandalism is done to further social justice issues. The short answer is some of it is, and some of it does not. The post tries to identify the contexts where we see graffiti and street art more prominently throughout the urban landscape as a commentary on social justice issues.
Wrapping Up
In closing, I want to express my sincere gratitude to my family, friends, and colleagues who have generously provided constructive feedback on selected draft posts before publication. Heartfelt appreciation also goes out to all my readers, particularly those who have taken the time to respond, share suggestions, and contribute their valuable experiences related to the topics I’ve explored.
Your ongoing engagement and support have been instrumental in shaping the direction of this blog.
Thank you for being a vital part of this community, and here’s to another year of growth and shared experiences.
As I look ahead to 2024, I hope to maintain the same level of productivity and creativity as I did in 2023. I’m dedicated to delivering content that is compelling, thought-provoking, and occasionally evoke genuine moments of laughter throughout the journey.
Photo Credit
Photographer: Kiran Foster
Title: Typing
“Hang up and Police?”
/by Jeffrey Ian RossOver the past few years police officers, largely transit, in many metro and subway stations are frequently seen seemingly engrossed in checking their smartphones and not intervening while patrons freely evade paying fares by jumping turnstiles.
Although we could examine why users don’t pay their way on to public transportation systems, I think it’s more helpful to look at the police side of the equation.
While it’s possible that the officers could be doing law enforcement related work on their phones, the recurrent nature of this behavior, and other contextual factors, raises doubts.
Challenges Faced by Police
Indeed, there are rationale reasons why officers in these situations are on their phones and/or fail or are reluctant to intervene. To begin with, standing around all day, watching people go through turnstiles and answering mundane questions when approached by members of the public can be excruciatingly boring and checking one’s phone can break the monotony.
More germane however, is that since the 1970s the efficacy of police patrol to achieve “common sense” goals (e.g., capture criminals, deter crime, and reduce citizen fear and create feelings of safety) has been called into question. Also, the so-called Ferguson Effect, and calls to defund the police, have made law enforcement a more embattled profession. Moreover, numerous heavily criticized cases of police arresting (and injuring) young, disproportionately African-American, persons who have failed to pay fares have garnered considerable negative public attention.
Impact on Public Perception
But what are law abiding citizens to make of police hanging around Metro/subway stations, checking their phones, and not intervening? Although some users may feel better having officers physically present in subway stations, regardless of them checking their phones, (or huddling together, talking with each other), the most logical assumption is that police don’t care. More importantly, is just a bad use of public safety resources and can contribute to the negative perceptions of police.
And assuming that their supervisors are unaware of this type of police behavior would be naïve to say the least.
A Call for Change
Instead of having officers passively monitor metro/subway stations, a more proactive approach is needed. I’m not suggesting that law enforcement agencies need to crack down on fare evaders, nor we should enter into a situation of overpolicing, like we witnessed in jurisdictions like New York City, with the decade plus (2002-2013) long disastrous experience with “Stop and Frisk.”
Police departments, on the other hand, need to collaborate with city authorities and transit system, to thoroughly explore innovative, creative, and nonconfrontational solutions to address fare evasion. And if this is being done already, then the police and the news media need to draw attention to this collaboration.
In addition to shifting tax expenditures to making all (or limited portions of a jurisdiction’s) public transportation free or during certain days and hours, transit systems might consider installing alternative turnstile designs to deter or prevent evasion.
Police departments should also actively dialogue with affected communities, and seek input on appropriate strategies. Implementing community policing initiatives, where officers build trust through positive interactions, might also help to reshape perceptions and encourage public cooperation.
Specific recommendations are essential. Doing nothing or accepting business as usual in the case of policing and public safety, regardless of how minor the crime, isn’t helpful for the public, nor the police.
Photo Credit
Photographer: Joe Shlabotnik
Title: Policemen At West 4th Station
They weren’t in costume. They were actual policemen.