Broken Windows Theory

Broken Windows Theory

Introduction

The Broken Windows Theory designated in the United States developed concept, which describes how a relatively harmless phenomenon, such as a broken window in an empty house, later to utter neglect can result. The Broken Windows theory builds on the theory of delinquency areas "delinquency areas" by the Chicago School of CR Shaw (1929).

The theory is the foundation of the so-called zero-tolerance strategy. It is basically more of a control as a theory of crime, since it does not explain the causes of crime, but merely describes symptoms. Nevertheless, it serves as a research base of many widely favorite crime-prevention measures. Also an empirical review of the Broken Windows theory has taken place in the meantime. Under the slogan "Broken Windows", the U.S. social scientists have James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling coined in 1982, the catchy image of the broken window, which must be repaired immediately to further destruction and subsequently the decline of neighborhoods and serious crime to prevent. In a kind of causal sequence disorder and crime within a community are inextricably linked.

On the basis of this thesis was the New York Police model "zero tolerance" develops. It provides, inter alia, on the grounds of crime prevention and early rigorously against petty crimes and minor offenses to proceed.

Discussion

Kelling and Wilson's Broken Windows Theory

Kelling and Wilson published in 1982 in the magazine “The Atlantic Monthly ", the" Broken Windows Theory ". In the presentation, they resorted to the Zimbardo experiment, and took him as experimental evidence for the correctness of their argumentation. After Wilson and Kelling six factors causing the decline of a community and the rising crime. These are

the visible physical deterioration of the environment,

and the occurrence of other uninvited persons with an undesirable behavior and

Fear of citizens against crime, especially violent crime . Physical deterioration attracts uninvited persons to whom the signs of decay indicate that control their behavior in this area can not take place or at least limited. The occurrence of the people causes fear among the citizens who

and withdraw causing an actual reduction of control. This reduced control facilitates

the commission of crimes. The increase in crime increases

the fear of crime and leads to a further retreat of the "decent" citizens. The population structure of a specific area is further changed to the disadvantage of a socially stable neighborhood.

After Wilson and Kelling disorder and crime in a community are causally linked to each other. A broken window in a building is not repaired, attracts a short time after the destruction of further window itself. This applies to both upscale and for dilapidated neighborhood areas. Again not a remanufactured window is a sign that in this place because no one takes offense. Result of such reckless behavior, however, is not only the comparatively harmless destruction of windows, but the result of the collection of serious crime.

Within this theory, there are several feedback loops between certain aspects. These make it clear that the increase of characters physical deterioration within a quarter where it leads to a steady increase of deviant behavior and crime.

Bratton zero-tolerance model

1994, appointed Chief of Police of New York, William Bratton, under then-Republican Mayor Rudolph Giuliani on ...