Government officials are continually searching for ways to increase the safety of its citizens.

In Light Blue Versus Dark Blue: Attitudinal Differences in Quality-of Life Policing, Lorenzo M. Boyd explores the difference between the attitudes of Black and White police officers regarding quality-of-life arrest. Boyd explains that quality-of-life arrest focus police resources on aggressive enforcement of social and physical disorders and not only crime per se (Boyd 38, 2010). In other words, “police believe that strategically targeting disorder and/or quality-of-life violations instead of just responding to service calls is critical in preventing serious crimes” (Boyd 38, 2010). This type of policing often referred to as Broken Windows Theory or broken windows policing focus on low quality crimes such as graffiti and vandalism. These crimes are often victimless and more likely crimes against property.

Wilson and Kelling’s key idea is that disorder and the absence of controls leads to crime. Their solution is to crack down on any disorder using a twofold strategy. First an environmental improvement strategy that any broken window must be repaired immediately, otherwise more will follow and the neighbourhood will be on the slide. Secondly the police must adopt a zero tolerance policing strategy. Instead of merely reacting to crime, the must proactively tackle even the slightest sign of disorder, even if it is not criminal. This

The “broken window” policy was used to put officers on foot patrol in community neighborhoods in order to prevent household crimes such as burglary and vandalism. This main goal for policing these neighborhoods, “was

William Bratton, commissioner of the New York Police Department from 1994 to 1996, presided over a dramatic decline in the city’s crime rate. Hired by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani as part of a new crime fighting initiative, Bratton embraced the “broken windows” theory that had made him so successful as chief of the city’s transit police. According to this theory, when a community ignores small offenses such as a broken window on a parked car, larger offenses such as burglary, robbery, and assault inevitably follow. Conversely, serious crime can be prevented if a community polices the little

New York City during the 1990s has experience crime rates dropping dramatically under Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Police Commissioner Bill Bratton lead. Both began new approach to policing by developing several new strategies under the proponent of “broken windows” theory. Under Bratton, the NYPD began to enforce statutes aimed at curbing “quality of life” offense, offenses that are minor and were overlooked in the past in favor to concentrate on serious crimes. Under the Broken Windows theory, small crimes leads to bigger crimes so taking a stance against the minor behavior sends a signal to the community that any kind of law breaking would not be tolerated. Community policing program was adopted in a minor form as police officials focused their

The “broken windows” model of policing was created as an experimental way of policing areas of high crime. The main focus of the “broken windows” model of policing was

This paper will cover two policing styles known as the “broken windows” theory and community policing. The paper will end with a small analysis of which style would be more practical long-term. This paper will start with an explanation as to what the “broken windows” theory is. Furthermore, this paper will cover some of advantages and disadvantages of that theory when put into practical application. Additionally, this essay will explain what “community policing” as defined by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). This is followed by a brief discussion some advantages and challenges that are unique to that approach. Lastly, this paper covers which one would be more viable policing in the long-term.

Broken windows policing is more of an emphasis on physical and social disorder which produces more serious crime. The increase of physical and social disorder causes an increase of fear and withdrawal in the residents. During this time, there is a decreased social control which allows the more serious crime to occur. Due to the inactivity of social control, crime occurs more often which allows police to predict the crime and when it occurs. Some examples of broken windows policing strategies are stop-and-frisk, zero tolerance, and NYC Subway.

According to criminologists James Q. Wilson and George Kelling, “… crime is the inevitable result of disorder.” (qtd. In Gladwell, paragraph 2). Wilson and Kelling are the masterminds behind The Broken Windows theory. The theory states that is a window is left unfixed after it is broken, people will come to the conclusion that there is no control. If that happens, more windows will be broken signifying that anything can happen. Dress code violations, mass shootings, and police brutality encounters are examples of broken windows.

Violent crimes in their 334 developments have risen over 31% since 2009 and the city needs over $15 billion to properly fix the buildings over the next 5 years (Smith, 2014). Castle Hill, Patterson, Wagner, Brownsville, Van Dyke I, Butler, Ingersoll, Queensbridge South, Polo Grounds Towers, and Red Hook West are the worst of the worst and will require almost $2 billion to fix (Smith, 2014). The conditions were so bad that 65% felt that intruders could gain entry because bad locks and 45% did not feel safe in their stairwells (Smith, 2014). The money and decisions for how to fix these problems and reduce crime have to come from

One pointed out in the article is the broken windows theory. This was a theory identified and brought to urban police departments in 1982. It became popular fast. The idea behind it is that if a symbol of disorder, such as a broken window, in a neighborhood is not dealt with, it invites the criminal or disorderly element into the area to cause further harm and mayhem. The author points out that the popularity of such a theory, while seemingly effective, brought negative impacts to neighborhoods by keeping the minor offenders on a path of recidivism. According to the author, this would in turn create an “impoverished society.” Causing people to be unable to achieve employment or maintain an honorable position in society. The idea of a person causing disorder became the focus, giving way to an increase in the arrest of the homeless or mentally ill, and an even further increase in the arrest of

According to http://cebcp.org, “Broken window model focuses on the importance of disorder (e.g., broken windows) in generating and sustaining more serious crime.” Wilson and Kelling are the creator of this model. They notice that neighborhoods who have high crime rate, consider of “disreputable people”. They are the people who hang out on the corner, the mental ill who pace back and forth up and down the streets, and those juvenile delinquents that love to pickpocket other people. Most of the communities are low income minority communities that Wilson and Keiling looked at. Wilson and Keiling does not think that poverty, racial segregation, and residential mobility and other social issues is not the root causes to high crime rates, They think to restore order needs to be placed in these community as Nixon will say “Law and Order”. They think the government cannot eliminate the root causes. Policing should be enforce more into the community to create a safe haven for these communities. By not focusing on social reform, rehabilitation is too costly and difficult. Wilson said to increase cost of crime by increasing punishment in prison. It will help measure deterrence, and if it does not work incapacitation. He also the believe that the root causes is caused by causal fallacy. Wilson and Keiling believed that officers need to go back to the style of enforcement. They explain that there should be more foot patrol have officers get know the resident while maintaining order.

The broken windows theory, originally pioneered by James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling argues that a broken window is a sign that no one cares about the appearance of the property. This proverbial broken window in turn encourages other residents to neglect their property. This further sends the entire neighborhood into a downward spiral, we begin to see large amounts of litter scattered throughout the neighborhood, home owners move out, houses become vacant and left to deteriorate, rental properties begin to spring up, and single family homes are turned into multifamily homes. As the income of residents decreases so does the property value of the neighborhood, and gradually a criminal element begins to establish itself within the neighborhood.

The Broken Windows theory was created by James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling that proposed a metaphor that connects disorder within neighborhoods. This theory believes that police should address these problems that create the neighborhood decay. The image of broken windows represent the relationship that becomes broken when a crime is committed, and nobody cares about how the window looks therefore it is never fixed. The Broken Windows theory increases the crime rate in neighborhoods. There is a link between disorder and crime.

Another top reason for the decline is that many police forces have started interrogating small offenders like those crimes that are more serious. This tactic has generated a number of leads, which in turn provides search warrants, multiple gun and drug arrests, and even homicide arrests (Giuliani Art. 108). Giuliani acknowledges that "the broken window theory of, James O. Wilson of Harvard University, has been applied successfully in America's largest cities. Wilson says a broken window that goes unrepaired is a visible sing that no one cares. It attracts additional vandalism, which soon escalates into serious crimes" (Giuliani Art. 108). Giuliani also adds "graffiti, blurring car radios, street prostitution, drag racing, public drinking and urination, squeegee window cleaners, and other aggressive beggars are, in effect, society's broken windows" (Giuliani Art. 108). These broken windows can and usually will lead to larger problems.