Wilson and Kelling Question A

Aim

Outline how features of neighbourhoods can influence crime rates, the changing of the US police and strategies for maintaining order

Safe Neighbourhoods

* Kelling walked with Newark foot patrol officers
* Role of officer was enforcing the law + taking steps to maintain public order
* Found that neglected property becomes target for disorder + people move away
* Weakens interaction between people and community controls

Change Role of Police

* New development of role of US policing
* Maintaining order → Detecting/Apprehending criminals
* Society has to decide what constitutes an undesirable person + what behaviours should be criminalised

Maintaining Order

* Police are key to maintaining order
* Neighbourhoods that are deteriorating but not unreclaimable need to be identified/dealt with
* Few police departments identify areas that need officers assigned to them

2 Suggestions

1. Hire private security guards to patrol buildings
2. Patrol officers to go on public transport to enforce rules on drinking/disorderly conduct

1 Conclusion

Police have been mistakenly encouraged to think they're judged on their capacity to crime fight + end up focusing on high-crime areas and not vulnerable areas