Broken Windows Theory – Flashcards

A metaphor for *social disorder*, drunks, beggars, prostitutes are broken windows that send a message to criminal—no one is cleaning up these disorders therefore won't stop a criminal from mugging someone, dealing drugs, etc.

Disorder » Breakdown of Control » High Crime First target disorder, then criminals will feel threatened

the inability of a community to realize its common values and remain control

The linage of cohesion and mutual trust with shared expectations for intervening in support of neighborhood social control (how much do you trust neighbors? willing to help?)

Broken windows was never intended to be a high-arrest program

A highly discretionary set of activities that seeks the least intrusive means of solving a problem—whether that problem is street prostitution, drug dealing in a park, graffiti, abandoned buildings, or actions such as public drunkenness. Good broken windows policing seeks partners to address it i.e. social workers, city code enforcers, business improvement district staff, teachers, medical personnel, clergy, and others. The goal is to reduce the level of disorder in public spaces so that citizens feel safe, are able to use them, and businesses thrive. Arrest of an offender is supposed to be a last resort—not the first.