Research the Broken Window Theory as it relates to police response to crime

Broken Window Theory
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Broken Window Theory
It is a common assumption that an area characterized by proliferating social disorders such as the explicit use of illegal drugs, partaking of alcoholic drinks in public, prostitution and other forms of disorderly behaviors, has a high rate of criminal activities. Crime in orderly social settings or neighborhoods tends to be lower than areas with broken moral systems. Nevertheless, the law enforcement agencies especially the police have long struggled to contain crime in their jurisdiction as they seek to maintain law and the said order. One of the concepts embraced by the police in handling or containing crime is the Broken Window Theory. Broken Window Theory suggests that the society’s tolerance of the often overlooked social disorders or unacceptable behaviors leads to an increase or rather the proliferation of criminal activities within the community. A look at the transition and application of the concept since its inception reflects on its efficacy and viability as a basis for responding to crime by the police force.
Philip Zimbardo’s study in 1969 gave birth to the theory of broken windows CITATION Ber06 \l 2057 (Ludwig, 2006). The study experimented on two neighborhoods, one that is characterized by high rates of crime and another one that is relatively calm with low criminal activities. The psychologist left a car in each of the locations within the city of New York, and 10 minutes later the first location’s car had been completely vandalized. The second location’s car was only vandalized after Zimbardo broke down its windows. The psychologist’s findings from the study was a simple indication of the vulnerability to vandalism of something or a situation whose neglect is apparent to the immediate or surrounding environment CITATION Ber06 \l 2057 (Ludwig, 2006). The principle would, however, spark criminologist’s perceptions on crime and eventually form the broken window theory as a basis for fig...