The concept of broken windows rests on a slippery theoretical slope. More problematic is the underlying notion that focusing "police activity on those social categories presumed to be crime vectors" could prevent crimes. The danger inherent in such a notion is that the police functionaries would be in a position to extra-legally harass the homeless, the destitute and the minorities. This has been well documented by law enforcement officials, academics and human rights groups. In a study conducted in 1999 by the New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer with the help of Columbia University’s Centre for Violence Research and Prevention, Spitzer concluded "in aggregate across all crime categories and precincts citywide, blacks were 'stopped' 23% more often (in comparison to the crime rate) than whites. Hispanics were 'stopped' 39% more often than whites." The racially discriminatory pattern is evident from the statistics available for the U.S.A. as a whole and for New York City, which shows that adults arrested for misdemeanors are disproportionately African –American in relation to their representation in the community.[11]
The experience in other parts of the world has not been an encouraging one. For instance, The New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties has recorded that the zero tolerance policing has been racially discriminatory to the Arabic-speaking people.[12] Similarly, in South Africa there have been doubts whether zero tolerance would be acceptable to the public, as the memories of the repressive apartheid regime remains fresh in the minds of the people.[13]
In the final analysis, the implementation of order maintenance policing may destroy the diversity and vitality of democratic society. As Bernard Harcourt eloquently sums up:
"It is, in effect, a type of 'aesthetic policing' that fosters a sterile, Disneyland, consumerist, commercial aesthetic. It reflects a desire to transform New York City into Singapore, or worse, a shopping mall. The truth is, however, that when we lose the dirt, grit, and street life of major American cities, we may also threaten their vitality, creativity, and character." [14]
[1] The 'Scholarly Myths' of the New Law and Order Doxa. Loic Wacquant, Professor of Sociology, University of California, Berkeley.[2] Wilson, James Q, and Kelling, George. Broken Windows: The Police and Neighbourhood Safety. Atlantic Monthly, March 1982.
[3] Charles Pollard. Zero Tolerance: Short-term fix, long-term liability? [4] Wilson, James Q., and Kelling, George. Broken Windows: The Police and Neighbourhood Safety. Atlantic Monthly, March 1982.
[5] William Bratton. Crime is Down in New York City: Blame the Police. IEA Welfare Unit, Revised Second Edition, January 1998.
[6] Randall G. Shelden. Assessing “Broken Windows’: A Brief Critique. Center On Juvenile And Criminal Justice.
Article comments
1 - Dan
James Q. Wilson and George Kelling defended Broken Windows theory against its critics in the September/October issue of The American Interest.
2 - doubting thomas
There is evidence that the crime rates were declining before Giuliani and Bratton took over. Hence it is a hyperbole to conclude that Giuliani and Bratton were responsible for the drop in crime in New York.Refer Freakonomics- page129- Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner.
3 - Anand Pon
Dear Socrates
1. I seek your permission to use your article for my magazine/souvenier program which I will share with security managers in a forum being organised by my company
2. The forum is called the WORLD SECURITY CONGRESS. Please see www.bsecure.com.my
3. I will post all articles that would be in the magazine. I expect that to take place sometime towards the end of this month
Kind regards
Anand Pon
4 - socrates
Dear Anand,
'I seek your permission to use your article for my magazine/souvenier program which I will share with security managers in a forum being organised by my company.'
Please do. And wishing you the very best in your publishing venture.
5 - Max Von Gunther
Dear Mr.Anand Pon,
Socrates is a avid writer and has published many articles.It would not be a bad idea to have Socrates in your panel discussion specially when his article is read out.He would perhaps enlighten your session more on Broken Windows.I had the extraorinary privilage of meeting Socrates during my visit to India and i must confess his knowledge is stupendous.You will not regret my suggestion.