Broken Windows Theory Summary

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In 1990, William Bratton was hired as Chief of the Transit Department. Bratton's hiring was in response to Robert Kiley, chairman of the New York State's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), belief that the subway system was in trouble. During the late 1980's, New York City was experiencing an economic downfall. The economy, in addition to rampant homelessness, panhandlers, unattended youths, robbers, and vandalism, resulted in a steep decline in the usage of the subway system. In order to clean up the subway system, Bratton employed zero-tolerance policing, or what has been commonly referred to as the "Broken Windows" theory. This theory was developed by George L. Kelling and James Q. Wilson and discussed in a 1982 of article of Atlantic Monthly. The "Broken Windows" theory simply argued that "just as a broken window left unattended was a sign that nobody cares and leads to more and severe property damage, so disorderly conditions and behaviors left untended send a signal that nobody cares and results in citizens fear of …show more content…

Bratton made mid-level managers accountable for crime in their assigned areas and relied on them to take an active role in developing ideas/plans to curb crime. This included plans to deal with guns, youth violence, domestic violence, quality of life, auto crimes, and others. As a result, crime dropped. So how can Zero-tolerance policing improve the "quality of life"? One example could be the "Squeegee men". These people would wash the window of a driver and demand payment, although in most cases they were never given permission by the driver. Other examples would be the arrest of petty drug dealers, public intoxication, graffiti artists, and prostitutes. The above offenses are what the "broken windows" theory is predicated

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