If you’ve heard of the Broken Windows theory of policing, you may have come across it in Malcolm Gladwell’s bestseller “The Tipping Point,” published 25 years ago. In this book, Gladwell discusses why New York City experienced a significant decrease in violent crime in the 1990s. He attributes this success to the NYPD’s commitment to Broken Windows policing, which suggests that disorderly environments are more likely to lead to serious crimes. By improving people’s surroundings, behavior can be enhanced.
However, on the 25th anniversary of his book, Gladwell admits he was wrong about the crime chapter. He now believes that the approach was counterproductive and led to increased tensions in minority communities. Despite this, evidence suggests that Broken Windows is still an effective crime deterrent.
Broken Windows, introduced in 1982 by George Kelling and James Q. Wilson, focuses on maintaining order in communities. Cops have discretion in deciding whether to take action against minor offenses, and the approach is meant to uphold basic behavioral norms rather than be enforced aggressively.
Properly implemented, Broken Windows shows that urban areas are “under control” and aims to prevent various forms of disorder. It has been successful in reducing crime and improving quality of life in cities like New York.
Order-maintenance policing, like Broken Windows, can also lead to the apprehension of dangerous criminals while maintaining order in communities. In the case of New York City subways, addressing minor offenses like turnstile jumping has led to significant improvements in safety and quality of life for residents.
These were desperate New Yorkers who resorted to putting their mouths on blocked turnstiles, sucking up subway tokens, and then selling them. It was repulsive. When law enforcement and MTA inspectors finally cracked down on these subway scammers, they discovered that 1 out of every 7 individuals they apprehended had an outstanding warrant, and 1 in 20 was carrying a weapon.
When Mayor Rudy Giuliani took office in 1994, he recognized the success of Broken Windows policing in reducing crime in the subways and appointed William Bratton as NYPD commissioner. The implementation of Broken Windows citywide led to a significant decrease in crime rates. By the year 2000, homicides had dropped by 65% and robberies by 65% as well.
Critics of Broken Windows argue that crime rates cannot be solely attributed to one factor and that it is impossible to predict the exact causes or effects of crime. However, evidence supporting order-maintenance policing is strong.
In a podcast, Malcolm Gladwell criticizes Broken Windows using an anecdote about an incident involving an African American medical student named David Floyd. While Floyd’s experience was distressing, it was not a direct result of Broken Windows policing but rather a misunderstanding by law enforcement officers. Floyd later became involved in a lawsuit challenging the stop-and-frisk policy.
Despite the success of Broken Windows in reducing crime, there were instances where police went too far, such as in the case of excessive stop-and-frisk practices. It is essential for law enforcement to use discretion and judgment in enforcing laws.
In his book, Bratton compares cities to patients and police commanders to doctors, emphasizing the need for appropriate responses to crime levels. While Broken Windows was effective in the 1990s, a more balanced approach was needed in the new century as crime rates decreased.
Gladwell’s reluctance to acknowledge the successes of Broken Windows may stem from its conservative origins and association with figures like Giuliani. However, the effectiveness of the policy should be recognized regardless of its political leanings. In City Journal, Matt DeLisi pointed out that criminological theories with conservative leanings are often criticized, while liberal theories are praised, regardless of their effectiveness.
Many theories claim that factors like reduced lead exposure, decreased unwanted pregnancies, less cash in circulation, and increased indoor activities contributed to the decline in crime during the 1990s. However, even critics of Broken Windows theory acknowledge its wisdom when faced with scenarios of disorderly behavior in neighborhoods.
It is essential to understand that maintaining minimal community standards through the thoughtful application of Broken Windows theory by law enforcement leads to improved public safety.
John McMillian, an associate professor at Georgia State University, is working on a book about crime and policing in New York City. This article was originally published in City Journal.
Source link
