Topic 5: Crime Prevention Background: How the features of neighbourhoods and how a zero- tolerance policy can influence crime Key Research: Wilson and Kelling (1982) The Police and Neighbourhood Safety: Broken Windows Application: At least one strategy for crime prevention

Key Research: Wilson and Kelling (1982) The Police and Neighbourhood Safety: Broken Windows One way to prevent Crime is…

Key Research: Wilson and Kelling (1982) The Police and Neighbourhood Safety: Broken Windows AIM: To challenge existing behaviours about the fear of crime To challenge existing behaviours about the role of police To see if there is a link between disorder and anti social behaviour with serious crime

Design This is an article not a study. Therefore… Key Research: Wilson and Kelling (1982) The Police and Neighbourhood Safety: Broken Windows Design This is an article not a study. Therefore… No direct sample (they do make reference to Newark Foot Patrol Experiment - state in New Jersey) No experimental design - it is a theory of crime As it refers to Newark Foot Patrol Experiment it could be considered case study As Kelling accompanied different officers on foot over many hours, can be considered naturalistic participant observation.

What did they find? Attitudes about foot patrol are negative Key Research: Wilson and Kelling (1982) The Police and Neighbourhood Safety: Broken Windows What did they find? Attitudes about foot patrol are negative Police chiefs felt it reduced mobility and manageability of officers Officers saw it as a punishment to them - to them, it was hard work with a low chance of catching serious criminals Despite this, Newark Foot Patrol experiment was introduced in 1980’s Police went along with it as it was funded Police used it to gain support from the public After 5 year evaluation; foot patrols did not reduce crime rates

Despite this… Residents reported that they felt crime was reduced Key Research: Wilson and Kelling (1982) The Police and Neighbourhood Safety: Broken Windows Despite this… Residents reported that they felt crime was reduced They also reported taking fewer behavioural precautions (eg staying home with doors locked) Foot patrol had high morale and job satisfaction, as well as good relations with community

They also introduced informal rules. Key Research: Wilson and Kelling (1982) The Police and Neighbourhood Safety: Broken Windows Authors suggest; rather than catching criminals of serious crime, the officers prevented crime through public order. For example, officers got to know the community and understand who was a regular and who was not. They also introduced informal rules. For example, drinks could sit on steps but not low down, begging was forbidden, drinking was kept off main streets. Residents also felt more confident to report disorders because they felt like something would be done about it, they felt relieved when police around

Broken Window Metaphor Key Research: Wilson and Kelling (1982) The Police and Neighbourhood Safety: Broken Windows Broken Window Metaphor When one window in a building is smashed and left unrepaired, the rest will soon be smashed Wilson & Kelling suggests that this is true in a neighbourhood when no one cares about a property Zimbardo (1969) showed this A vehicle was left in inner city area and up-market area. When the vehicle was damaged, hours later, the car was badly vandalised. He found unattended behaviour inevitably leads to the break own of community control, and the idea that no one cares can breed more serious crime

Broken Window Metaphor Key Research: Wilson and Kelling (1982) The Police and Neighbourhood Safety: Broken Windows Broken Window Metaphor Broken Windows effect influences attitudes - they no longer care what happens in community Tackling low level anti social behaviour such as drunken disorderly is not a priority for officers. Civilians don’t think officers are interested, potential criminals see the lack of police control and or community interest in preventing crime, so the crime activity escalated Authors suggest foot patrol officers, the presence of police in the area who appear to care, have key role in building community relations in preventing crime

Key Research: Wilson and Kelling (1982) The Police and Neighbourhood Safety: Broken Windows Conclusions Relationship between low level and serious crime can be understood using broken windows metaphor Public order should be created and maintained by police and community

Topic 5: Crime Prevention Background: How the features of neighbourhoods and how a zero- tolerance policy can influence crime Key Research: Wilson and Kelling (1982) The Police and Neighbourhood Safety: Broken Windows Application: At least one strategy for crime prevention