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Mariah England
Mr. Jordan
CJS 1125
10/1/15
Broken Windows Theory

The Broken Windows Theory is a criminology theory of the norm- setting and
signaling effect of urban disorder and vandalism on addition crime and anti-social
behavior. In an article by the Department of Criminology, Law, and Society; they explain
the broke window theory Disorder is not directly linked to serious crime; instead,
disorder leads to increased fear and withdraw from residents, which then allows more
serious crime to move in because of decreased levels of informal social control.(Broken
windows policing)
In this article they also state that police can make a huge contrition to playing a
role in such a process. If the police were to focus more on less serious crimes around the
community that might have a sight chance of being over taken by serious crime later on.
Doing such a thing like this would definitely help reduce the risk of fear and gain the
community trust. Hopefully use such a tactic to also to help build back the community
with the help of the residents of course.
While reading in another article on Encyclopadia Britannica; The author stated
that scholars generally define two different disorders. The first is physical disorder,
typified by vacant buildings, broken windows, abandoned vehicles, and vacant lots filled
with trash. The second type is social disorder, which is typified by aggressive

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panhandlers, noisy neighbors, and groups of youths congregating on street
corners.(Mcknee) The author also goes on explaining how there isnt a fine line to crime
and disorder; its usually blurred. Everyone has different perspectives on matters like this;
some might say that selling drugging is disorder and others might say that such an act like
that is a crime. But, regardless on the different views on the subject matter it still will
raise fear and feeling unsafe to both of the sides.
Even though, the broken window theory might be doing good and very popular
among the law-enforcement community; there is always going to be critics to question it.
A few of the critics state that there is little empirical evidence that disorder, when left
unchallenged, causes crime. To validate the theory in its entirety, it must be shown that
disorder causes fear, that fear causes a breakdown of social controls (sometimes referred
to as community cohesion), and that this breakdown of social controls in turn causes
crime. Finally, crime must be shown to increase levels of disorder. (Mcknee)
A political scientist named Wesley Skogan, who was said to have strong support
for the Broken Windows theory. Skogan found certain types of social and physical
disorder tying in with certain crimes. Skogan swore that his results were proof of the
Broken windows Theory. Even with all the support that Skogan gathered for the Broken
Windows Theory; A political theorist named Bernard Harcourt reviewed Skogans data
and research. Harcourt found that the link between neighbourhood disorder and purse
snatching, assault, rape, and burglary vanished when poverty, neighborhood stability, and
race were statistically controlled. Only the link between disorder and robbery remained.
Harcourt also criticized the broken windows theory for fostering zero-tolerance policies
that are prejudicial against the disadvantaged segments of society.(McKnee)

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My personal thought on the Broken Windows Theory is that would definitely be
helpful. I also believe that if you correct the crime while its small that it will help in the
long run if its nip in the bud. I can also see where the critics want firm statics on the
Broken Windows Theory; but that would be hard to obtain since wants the critics are pure
emotions. The theory does well with the community and I personally would feel more
safe and connect with the officers having this theory in progress. Plus, a lot of the law
enforcement community and they even teach in academics use it and its been working
great. So, I have no doubt in the Theory.

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Work Cited

"Broken Windows Policing." Center for EvidenceBased Crime Policy. Web. 2

Oct. 2015.

Mcknee, Adam. "Broken Windows Theory | Academic Theory." Encyclopedia Britannica

Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 2 Oct. 2015.