Today, we want to look at the Broken Window theory. It was first applied in New York City with great success.
Recently, in February 2014, i have investigated a crime scene in Queens, NYC, for the ASPCA and met with a retired Lieutenant of NYPD. We talked about the Broken Window theory combined with zero tolerance and how it helped to clean up the crime ridden areas in New York. He stated that the murder rate decreased from 350 annually to 48 annually. The people were proud of their neighborhood and would not allow crime and criminals destroy the community.
Compstat and Broken Window theory, a good crime fighting combination? What do you think?
additional reading to broken window theory
http://www.manhattan-institute.org/pdf/_atlantic_monthly-broken_windows.pdf
research and answer the following questions:
•Do programs such as Compstat, which place increasing stress on commanders to reduce crime, undermine the integrity of the Crime Reporting systems? Why do you think so? What solutions would you propose for this problem?
The Compstat program originally initiated by then police commissioner of New York Bratton focused on policing Broken Windows. The primary tactic of policing Broken Windows is a focus on appropriate handling of minor offenses. This is also known as “Quality of Life” enforcement.
•Does Quality of Life enforcement (and perception of crime reduction) increase or decrease the level of cooperation with the local police officers enforcing penalties for minor offenses? Additionally, does quality of life enforcement lead to racial profiling or heavy-handed enforcement policies in immigrant and (or) lower socio-economic communities? How?
•Should the primary objective of police or law enforcement organizations be to reduce crime? If not, what should police or law enforcement organizations aim to accomplish?
•Is crime reduction more important than community relations? What are your suggestions for bridging the gap between crime reduction and community relations? How can the two be brought closer together?
use references cite sources
