Broken windows theory

In <a href="/facts/Criminology/vu3fwnut">criminology</a>, the broken windows theory states that visible signs of <a href="/facts/Crime/BfoRzbL3">crime</a>, <a href="/facts/Antisocial_behavior/mXqavCfc">antisocial behavior</a> and <a href="/facts/Civil_disorder/etb1LJfJ">civil disorder</a> create an <a href="/facts/Urban_area/fu9v8h5P">urban environment</a> that encourages further crime and disorder, including serious crimes. The theory suggests that policing methods that target minor crimes, such as <a href="/facts/Vandalism/huCfsqth">vandalism</a>, <a href="/facts/Loitering/Lry0R32T">loitering</a>, <a href="/facts/Public_drinking/RAYPDmVf">public drinking</a> and <a href="/facts/Fare_evasion/EekyAk8w">fare evasion</a>, help to create an atmosphere of order and lawfulness.
The theory was introduced in a 1982 article by conservative think tanks social scientists <a href="/facts/James_Q._Wilson/pgh2F5ML">James Q. Wilson</a> and <a href="/facts/George_L._Kelling/ImEQf8Ts">George L. Kelling</a>. It was popularized in the 1990s by <a href="/facts/New_York_City/YlyvFmVC">New York City</a> police commissioner <a href="/facts/William_Bratton/uf87dFq3">William Bratton</a>, whose policing policies were influenced by the theory.
The theory became subject to debate both within the <a href="/facts/Social_science/hAbm1xtD">social sciences</a> and the public sphere. Broken windows policing has been enforced with controversial police practices, such as the high use of <a href="/facts/Stop-and-frisk_in_New_York_City/fyfB4De4">stop-and-frisk in New York City</a> in the decade up to 2013.

Broken windows theory open-in-new

Broken windows theory