26 November 2008, 9:49 am
The 'Broken Windows Theory' of Policing is a theory which advocates targeting petty crime and social misdemeanour, and combating the effects of antisocial behaviour like graffiti and litter. This, in theory, dissuades people from committing minor crimes then puts them off committing more serious crimes, its also improves the environment people live in. For example: Take an area such as a city park. One might employ the following measures: 1) Clean up all graffiti in and around the area. 2) Install new litter bins. 3) Introduced a no-drinking zone after 11pm. 4) Dedicate a team of volunteers to keep area clean and tidy and well maintained. 5) Dedicate a police officer to that area as their 'beat'. The theory is, that is people see an area is kept nice, they are less likely to befoul it. (e.g. If someone sees a few small pieces of litter in a bush then they are more likely to add their own bit, as they would feel less guilty because it was already messy.) Eventually, as people realise that the area is improving, they take pride in their public spaces and private property alike, maintaining them accordingly. If this theory was implemented nationwide and with the correct funding, it could have all sorts of positive implications for the country. It would reduce crime, reduce the amount of public money spent on both combating crime and keeping public spaces clean and tidy, maintain a sense of civic pride, encourage tourism, possibly even improve health. There are already instances of the theory working in practice. In New York City, Mayor Rudy Giuliani and his police commissioner Howard Safir adopted the strategy after Giuliani's election in 1993, under the rubrics of "zero tolerance" and "quality of life". Giuliani had the police more strictly enforce the law against thing such as subway fare evasion, stopping public drinkers, urinators, and the "squeegee men" who had been wiping windshields of stopped cars and demanding payment. Rates of both petty and serious crime fell suddenly and significantly, and continued to drop for the following ten years. Let me know what you think of the theory, and what its implications could be. Thanks a lot.... Read More »
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