Broken Window Theory

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Running Head: Broken Window Theory Broken Window Theory Porsha Taylor CJ354 Community Policing Assignment #1 Broken Window Theory Broken windows theory suggests policing incivilities and maintaining order to reduce major crime. The strategy focuses on identifying deteriorating neighborhoods and addressing small offenses that may lead to major criminal acts, cleaning up the environment, and policing small offenses which reduce major crime (Goldstein, 1990). However, all small offenses do not always result in the development of major offenses. The broken window theory is basically stating that if one person shows not to care no one else will care. If one window is broken out of an abandoned house, and no one says anything or reports it then others will be broken out to just the simple fact because no did anything about it. No one took action, which shows or gives criminals the idea that no cares enough to address the problem. 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. (The Police and neighborhood safety George L. Kelling March 1982) 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. Many police officers also disliked foot patrol, but for different reasons: it was hard work, it kept them outside on cold, rainy nights, and it reduced their chances for making a “good

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