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The Broken Windows Theory
Created by James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling in 1982
1) Definition:
Broken Windows was the brainchild of the criminologists James Q. Wilson and George Kelling. Wilson and kelling studied that crime is the inevitable result of disorder. If a window is broken and left unrepaired, people walking by will conclude that no one cares and no one is in charge. Soon, more windows will be broken, and the sense of anarchy will spread from the building to the street on which it faces, sending a signal that anything goes.

2) What are the relevant facts?
· Broken Windows is only a theory.
· James Q Wilson and George Kelling are the founders.
· The Broken Windows is a general hypothesis that suggests that in order to stop mischief, vandalism, and petty crime; smaller problems should be repaired first.

3) What are the alternate policy options and their probable outcomes?
· Reconstruct environment to create a positive community.
· City-wide Art Programs.
· Clean streets, create public works.
· Home renovations.



James Q. Wilson George L. Kelling


In the mid-l970s The State of New Jersey announced a "Safe and Clean Neighborhoods Program," designed to improve the quality of community life in twenty-eight cities. As part of that program, the state provided money to help cities take police officers out of their patrol cars and assign them to walking beats. The governor and other state officials were enthusiastic about using foot patrol as a way of cutting crime, but many police chiefs were skeptical. Foot patrol, in their eyes, had been pretty much discredited. It reduced the mobility of the police, who thus had difficulty responding to citizen calls for service, and it weakened headquarters control over patrol officers.

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