The Broken window theory describes the concept of improvements
in the physical infrastructure of a neighborhood will cause a decrease in
crime. This is the most basic explanation of this theory, but that base concept
was the building blocks for New York City’s mayor Rudy Giuliani’s new policy on
crime in the neighborhoods in New York City. The crime rate in New York City
reached an all time high in 1990 and by the end of the decade it had been cut
in half showing the fastest drop in crime for any American city. This drop in
crime was catalyzed by mayor Giuliani’s broken window reform. This reform
brought a change in the type of policing happening within the New York City limits.
Police began to crack down on minor crimes in the city in order to show a
stronger police presence. The city’s administration felt that if they could not
keep simple pan handlers off the streets how can they begin to improve the target
neighborhoods. The other goal of the
reform was to have police officers that were committed to “Fighting Fear” on
the city streets. The new police commissioner hired almost 4,000 more police
officers and placed foot patrols in neighborhoods to give the community a sense
of safety. The commissioner and mayor felt that once residents felt the police
presence they would be more likely to report crimes happening in their
neighborhoods.
In
Christina Sterbenz’s article for Business Insider she reviews the policy
reforms of mayor Giuliani she states that the drop in crime may be due to other
factors than just the new broken window policy. The unemployment rate in New
York City dropped drastically through the 1990’s as well as the number of
felony arrests increased 50-70%. These two factors could have had just as much
impact on the crime rate of the city as the police policy changes. The author
also exposed some of the issues with believing the broken window theory in its entirety.
Research from Chicago showed that broken window policing unfairly targeted poor
individuals, as well as Blacks and Hispanics unfairly. This policy in fact led
to the unfair and uneven prosecution of Black individuals being arrested for
misdemeanor drug crimes. The amount of arrests for smoking marijuana rose from
10 per year to 644 per year which is an alarming jump especially when the
majority of those being arrested for these types of crimes are Black.
This is where the problem with
broken window policing really lies. I believe that creating a sense of safety
within a community is a step in the right direction to improving the overall
attitude of a neighborhood. When residents feel a tangible police force it
comes as no surprise that individuals will report more crimes if they feel that
the police will respond accordingly. Having a police force crack down on minor
crimes can be very beneficial, but the repercussions can be extremely
detrimental. Especially in the case of minors, punishments outside of probation
or arrests could help lower the crime rate in urban areas. Requiring those who
have committed a minor crime to help improve their community in some way could
greatly contribute to the overall community. The police could then focus
funding and time to catch individuals who are committing felony level crimes
because these crimes can be much more detrimental to a community. Taking the
harshest criminals off the streets and forcing the lower level criminals to
reinvest their time and effort into improving their community should be the
overall end game of new policies. Having a police force that is part of the
community also will only help improve the mentalities present in troubled
neighborhoods. Very often residents feel that the police will not respond in a
timely manner, or they will treat residents with bias depending on their
residence and that is a huge problem. When a community feels that the police
force has the best intentions for the community in mind there will be a
necessary bond of trust formed between the police and the residents. But the
biggest change that needs to happen in neighborhoods with high crime rates is
residents need to feel an obligation to help improve their neighborhood. If
residents take collective action against minor crimes that take place in their
neighborhood such as vandalism, pan handling, or minors using drugs as I stated
before the police will be able to focus on felony level criminals. Offering
incentives to resident to report minor crimes in action could help improve
community involvement when it comes to stopping crime. If this mentality can
become fully integrated in problem neighborhoods the residents and city
administration can work together to help their communities flourish.
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