Unkempt Median Strips as Evidence of Social Decline

I have a long commute.  I travel on surface roads to and from my job in DC every day.  All those hours spent sitting at traffic lights affords me plenty of time to observe my surroundings.  Everywhere from the District through the Maryland suburbs of Chevy Chase, Kensington, Silver Spring and Olney, median strips have been left to high grass, weeds, storm debris and leaves.  They are mowed only two to three times during the prime growing season, and when they are mowed, the overly long grass is blown out into the street where it becomes a hazard for drivers, particularly if it rains.  They have become an eye sore and, to me, signify a much more ominous development:  social decline  Yes, the economy is bad.  Yes, county budgets are tight.  But when a city or town loses pride in its appearance, what will follow next?  Why don't the citizens of these areas take the initiative to pick up where the county has failed them?  Why?  Sadly, the answer is apathy and a lack of a sense of community identity.  Even more outrageous, if citizens did take action to clean up the median strips, they undoubtedly would be told by county authorities to cease and desist out of concerns about liability or violating regulations about work by private citizens.

Take note the next time you drive.  What you see just may dishearten you.