Question

The following appeared as a letter to the editor from the owner of a skate shop in Central Plaza.
"Two years ago the city council voted to prohibit skateboarding in Central Plaza. They claimed that skateboard users were responsible for litter and vandalism that were keeping other visitors from coming to the plaza. In the past two years, however, there has been only a small increase in the number of visitors to Central Plaza, and litter and vandalism are still problematic. Skateboarding is permitted in Monroe Park, however, and there is no problem with litter or vandalism there. In order to restore Central Plaza to its former glory, then, we recommend that the city lift its prohibition on skateboarding in the plaza."

• A. What is the current level of litter and vandalism in Central Plaza?
• B. How much foot traffic has increased in Monroe Park compared to Central Plaza?
• C. Has the local economy in the plaza improved since the ban on skateboarding?
• D. How successful has the Monroe Park skateboarding program been in other cities?

Hint:

When evaluating a proposed change or recommendation, it is essential to gather data on current conditions to determine whether the proposed solution addresses the problem effectively.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Identify relevant questions.
To evaluate the argument made in the letter, we need to assess the validity of the claim that lifting the skateboarding ban will reduce litter and vandalism in Central Plaza. The most important question to answer is the current level of litter and vandalism in the plaza. This would help establish whether the problem is genuinely being exacerbated by skateboarders, or if there are other factors at play.
Step 2: Additional considerations.
Also, it would be useful to explore if the success in Monroe Park can be replicated in Central Plaza, as well as the overall economic impact on the area. The recommendation hinges on the assumption that skateboarding will not increase litter or vandalism, so this must be thoroughly examined before implementing the policy change.
Step 3: Conclusion.
By answering these questions, the city council can make an informed decision on whether lifting the ban will help improve the situation in Central Plaza or not.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{What is the current level of litter and vandalism in Central Plaza?}} \]