Categories: Big Sur

Broken Window Philosophy

In Sociology 101, the “Broken Windows Philosophy” is taught to illustrate that people will treat property with the same respect as others. Just imagine the disgust a family would have pulling up at Whale Point to see this, as I did this afternoon at 1:15 pm.

CalTrans is responsible for maintaining this location, but they only pick up twice a week and totally missed last Friday. This is the result.

There needs to be accountability. This is completely shameful. And it is the THIRD TIME this summer I have personally witnessed a mess like this at Whale Point.

In the midst of all our crabbing about traffic and tourons looking in the mirror as I write), we need to take a look at the way we treat our own community. In this case, folks wanted to do the right thing with their trash, and this is what we offered them.

Michael Minasian

Big Sur, California 93920

Editor’s Comment: Keep Big Sur Wild, sometimes in conjunction with Community Association of Big Sur, hold Highway One clean up days. They have picked up a huge amount of trash off the shoulders and pull outs of Highway One! Please contact one or the other to volunteer. https://www.keepbigsurwild.org/ And https://www.cabigsur.org/

bigsurkate

Appointed appellate counsel for indigent defendants (retired.) I have lived in Big Sur since 1984, first on the north coast, and on the South Coast since 1989.

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View Comments

Kelly Sorenson says:

July 28, 2026 at 2:24 pm

How ironic that a location, at least in part, designed to highlight and honor local wildlife is also creating a hazard for the same.
Michael M. says:

July 28, 2026 at 4:00 pm

I know we'll address this, and I know it is not who we are. The impression it made on me was just ruthlessly depressing. Don't mean to hang Caltrans out for this; they rock in my book. I also know that many of us are fighting the trash fight, as KeepBigSurWild does.

This week I have to drive down to Santa Monica. I intend to take a kind of photo essay of what I see when I come back up on the Cabrillo Highway and witness the extensive efforts and resources that are being deployed to address trash and litter. There is a real disconnect between the operations and maintenance practiced by both Caltrans and State Parks on the southern portion compared to ours.

-Michael