Notes on the Broken Windows Theory by Wilson and Kelling

The Broken Windows Theory

Introduction

  • Authors: James Q. Wilson (Harvard) and George L. Kelling

  • Discusses the impact of community policing through foot patrol in Newark, New Jersey.

Foot Patrol Program

  • Initiated in the mid-1970s to improve neighborhood safety and quality of life.

  • Critics believed foot patrol would hinder police effectiveness and reduce their ability to respond to calls.

  • Initial evaluation showed no reduction in crime rates, but an increase in perceived safety among residents.

Community Perception of Safety

  • Residents in foot patrol areas felt safer despite unchanged crime statistics.

  • Citizens considered the visible presence of officers a deterrent to disorderly behavior.

Fear in Urban Communities

  • Fear arises not solely from violent crime but also from disorderly conduct (e.g., panhandlers, drunks).

  • A stable law enforcement presence can help manage these fears by maintaining public order.

Order-Maintenance Function of Police

  • Police need to establish and uphold community-defined rules.

  • Officers familiarize themselves with regulars in the community and intervene when disorder occurs.

    • Example: Managing loitering teens, public drinking, and vagrancy.

Broken Windows Theory

  • Suggests that visible signs of disorder (broken windows) encourage further vandalism and crime.

  • Zimbardo's experiments demonstrated that environments perceived as neglected fostered vandalism.

Community Dynamics

  • Disorderly practices can lead to a breakdown in community controls and increase fear, leading residents to withdraw.

  • Elderly individuals, though less likely to be victims, may feel threatened by disorder due to vulnerability.

Urban Decay and Policing

  • Historical perspective shows a shift from policing for order to focusing on fighting crime.

  • There is a need to reevaluate the police's role in maintaining community order.

Challenges for Law Enforcement

  • Police often struggle with defining what constitutes acceptable behavior and enforcing community standards.

  • The relationship between residents and police can become strained if residents feel police are ineffective.

Community Involvement

  • Successful community policing requires collaboration with residents to establish rules and maintain order.

  • Citizen involvement (e.g., neighborhood watch) can effectively supplement police efforts under certain conditions.

Conclusion

  • The police need to balance crime fighting with maintaining order to preserve neighborhood integrity.

  • A focus on community standards can help prevent crime and foster a sense of safety among residents.