NYPD Broken Windows Theory

NYPD Broken Windows Theory Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation NYPD Broken Windows Theory The 1990s marked a primary turnaround in New York’s law enforcement when the New York Police Department (NYPD) implemented the broken windows theory. The implementation of this theory stemmed from the need to tackle crime from a holistic approach in New York at the time. Superficially, the broken windows theory suggests that policymakers and implementers can prevent major crimes by focusing on addressing multiple minor offenses. With such a policy, the approaches to crime management inevitably changed within the ranks of NYPD. Eventually, the theory would be explored based on its merits and demerits. In this analysis, emphasis is put on the implementation of the broken windows theory in New York, its evolution into stop-and-frisk practices, and the responses that civil rights groups advanced toward this policing approach. The above holistic assessment of the broken windows theory of policing can be vital in developing policing approaches that bear positive impacts both on taming crime as well as protecting the rights of all individuals as per the constitution. The Theory The broken windows theory stems from a group of criminological theoretical frameworks geared toward solving crime. The theory was introduced in 1982 by James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling. As per their understanding, Wilson and Kelling (1982) argued that police officers can deter criminal activities before they occur. Partly, the respondents indicated that there are visible signs of neglect or disorder that can imply or lead to major crimes in a neighborhood. Some of such signs include broken windows, graffiti, and litter. The proponents argue that the above signs in a neighborhood show that the area is poorly regulated. By extension, this theory shows that if minor crimes such as vandalism, public intoxication, or littering are left unaddressed, they can lead to major criminal activities. As such, law enforcement officers stand a chance of preventing crime and restoring order just by addressing such minor signs (Wilson & Kelling, 1982). Using this theory, NYPD intended to maintain public order by streamlining the behaviors of potential offenders. From a positive perspective, this policing approach is appraised as being proactive as well as a pillar of quality life in some communities. However, its implementation in New York has also come with multiple cases of criticism. Superficially, this policing technique bears an element of micro-managing individuals. Besides, some opponents of the policy believed that it could be deployed to fuel organized crime against marginalized communities. Policy Implementation NYPD offset the implementation of the broken windows theory in the early 1990s. As part of the implementation, the then leadership, police Commissioner William Bratton, and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani focused on combating the escalating crime rates within New York. Under the umbrella of this policy, emphasis was put on addressing minor offenses. Also, ...