Abstract
According to the Broken Windows Theory (BWT) of policing, dealing with minor offences like public intoxication, loitering, and jaywalking can advance law and order and reduce severe crimes in the long run. Although social scientists have disagreed with the theory, the current literature study aims to determine whether or not the BWT actually lowers crime. The results show that the BWT can successfully reduce significant crimes within the community when appropriately used in conjunction with other policing techniques. Furthermore, factors like social norms, routine observation, and signal crime may impact the level of crime in the area. Overall, the literature review emphasizes the BWT’s possible efficacy in reducing crime.
Research Question
Does implementing the Broken Windows Theory of policing effectively reduce severe crimes within the community, and what are the possible implications for improving policing strategies?
Hypothesis
The Broken Windows Theory, when implemented appropriately in conjunction with other policing strategies, is an effective approach to reducing serious crime in communities. Research on the topic of the Broken Windows Theory could provide insights into the effectiveness of this approach in reducing crime. It could help to determine if aggressive policing against minor and low-level offences helps prevent or mitigate more serious violations, as the theory suggests. Research could also examine the impact of broken windows policing on the community, including how it affects perceptions of police legitimacy and trust.
Variables
A number of independent and dependent variables were seen to impact the survey’s conduct. The first independent variable was the presence, intensity and duration of implementation of the Broken Window theory of policing. This refers to the degree to which the theory is applied in a certain area and it was key in determining if the approach would have an impact on crime. For example, one community was discovered to have partially applied the policy. As such, the theory was not seen to have reduced the region’s crime level, leading to inconclusive results. Similarly, another community applied the policy for a short period of time. The results of this were also deemed inconclusive as the outcomes of the application needed time to be visible.
Another independent variable was the level of community involvement in crime-prevention activities. Communities active in crime-prevention activities were likely to have reduced criminal activity upon implementing the Broken Window policy. This was likely due to increasing the perception of social control and reduced opportunity for crime. Ignorant communities have fewer chances of a decrease in crime upon implementation of the policy due to difficulty in identifying and addressing the minor signs of a disorder.
The final independent variable discovered during the conduct of the research was the demographic element of the regions studied. The demographic characteristics, including age, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status significantly impacted the research. For example, the concept of age proved to be crucial as localities with more young people had high crime rates. Male dominated populations were also seen to have more crime. To ensure the research was reliable, a stratified random sampling technique was incorporated to affirm that the sample selected was representative of the entire population. Additionally, statistical methods were used to control for any variables that may have affected the relationship between the Broken Window Theory and crime reduction.
Several dependent variables were also present in the conduct of the research. They included:
- Crime rate: This was a dependent variable in this research as it was the variable being measured to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of implementing the Broken Window policing concept. Specifically, there were observations about whether there was a significant decrease in the crime rate after the theory was implemented.
- Fear of crime: Refers to the level of fear people experience in relation to crime. It can be influenced by factors such as personal experiences with crime, media coverage, and perceptions of the justice system. This was an essential factor to consider when researching, as some areas were perceived to be unsafe and were therefore avoided creating an environment conducive to crime. On the other hand, in places where people felt safe and were not afraid of crime, there was heavy foot traffic deterring crime.
- Perception of safety: This is how safe people feel in a particular location and can be influenced by factors such as the physical environment, police presence and crime level in the area. During the research, it was seen to play a significant role. For example, if people perceived an area to be unsafe, they spent less time there and vice versa. Additionally, if people felt safe in an environment, they were more willing to report crimes or participate in surveys or interviews.
- Quality of life measures: Refers to the various indicators used to assess the well-being and satisfaction of people and communities. In the research on the effectiveness of the Broken Window theory on crime reduction, this variable arose when trying to determine the quality of life in certain regions had an effect on crime rates in that area. It was found that when implementation of the policy increased surveillance and strict enforcement of minor offenses, it created a sense of insecurity and lack of trust within the community negatively impacting the quality of life of the residents.
To avoid potential bias in the research, the researchers took a number of steps. The first step was the incorporation of random sampling to ensure samples selected were representative of all people and groups in the population. Another step was the use of a control group which was similar to the experimental group in all aspects except for the implementation of the policy. Finally, double-blind procedures and statistical analysis were utilized. The procedures ensured the researcher did not know which control group they belonged to avoid potential bias. The analysis was used in analyzing data and determining whether the Broken Window theory had an effect in reducing crime rates.
Statement of the Problem
The Broken Windows Theory (BWT) of policing suggests that by aggressively targeting minor crime behaviors, law enforcement can promote law and order, thus reducing the chances of serious crimes in the long run (Worrall, 2002). However, the theory remains a subject of debate for social scientists, who have yet to establish whether or not this theory successfully attains its stated goal of crime reduction. The critical question on the approach remains: Does the Broken Windows Theory reduce crime? The present paper aims to address this question by reviewing literature on the topic. The findings of this research will be crucial in improving policing strategies, and it will help establish additional insights into the applicability and effectiveness of broken windows policing as a crime reduction strategy.
Criminal justice and law enforcement have always placed a high priority on reducing crime in society (Braga et al., 2015). Therefore, developing successful crime reduction tactics is essential. One such tactic that has drawn a lot of attention from both researchers and practitioners is the Broken Windows Theory. To determine whether or not the BWT is a successful strategy for reducing crime, empirical evidence is required as the efficacy of the approach is still up for discussion. By tackling this issue, the current study will offer insightful information about the applicability and efficacy of broken windows policing as a crime reduction strategy, and it will help shape the creation of policing tactics meant to lower crime in society.
Population of The Study and Data Collection Methods
Setting and Participants
The provisional information related to the review is the widespread presence of crime in various regions, the presence of law enforcement agencies, and the level of community engagement. The target of the study is the general population residing in crime-prone areas. Since crime affects all in the community, it is essential to understand the impact of the theory on the entire population. Articles were chosen for the review using a purposive sample technique based on their applicability to the research challenge and their capacity to offer theoretical insights. The inclusion criteria were designed to include publications published or evaluated in the English language between 1980 and 2015 in order to guarantee that the review was thorough and effective. This time frame was chosen to present a variety of evidence and to document key developments in the theory’s application over time.
Data Collection Procedures
Several techniques were employed in collecting data for the review, including interviewing, database search, inclusion/exclusion criteria, screening, data extraction, quality assessment, and data synthesis.
Interviewing: The most common method of data collection, interviewing, was carried out to collect foundational information upon which the study would be conducted in the selected regions. Questions were framed as open-ended and presented orally or in questionnaires depending on the interviewee’s location.
Database Search: In this case, the search was targeted at discovering papers about police tactics, urban deterioration, broken windows hypothesis, and crime theories. Google Scholar, Scopus, and JSTOR are well-known databases that were used. To make sure that all relevant material on the subject was found, the search was carried out using pertinent keywords. By using terms like “Broken Window,” “Police strategies,” “Urban decay,” and “Crime theories,” it was possible to limit the search results to show content that was pertinent to the study’s subject.
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria: The utilization of the Broken Window Theory in crime reduction, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, and a focus on empirical investigations were all inclusion criteria for studies. Studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were not available in the full-text format, or were not written in English were excluded. Systematic review procedures were applied here to ensure a comprehensive and unbiased search of the literature used.
Screening: After the initial search, duplicates were removed, and titles and abstracts were screened to assess the relevance of the studies to the research question. Screening tools such as Covidence and Rayyan were then applied.
Data Extraction: Data were extracted from relevant studies using a data extraction form. The form included study design, sample size, data collection methods, data analysis procedures, and findings
Quality Assessment: One technique for assessing the quality of collected data is the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP). It is intended to assist reviewers in evaluating a study’s quality and deciding whether or not to include it in a meta-analysis or systematic review. CASP offers a standardized framework for assessing a study’s methodology’s benefits and drawbacks.
Data Synthesis: Thematic synthesis approach enabled researchers to comprehensively understand the effectiveness of the Broken Window theory under review. It also allowed the researchers to identify key themes and concepts related to the effectiveness of the theory under review and to develop a comprehensive understanding of the research question.
Significance of the Research
The purpose of the research is to emphasize the value of the study and any possible implications for practice and policy. The critical issue of whether the Broken Windows Theory (BWT) of policing successfully reduces crime is addressed by the researchers in this literature review. The controversial BWT policing model actively targets minor offenses like public intoxication, loitering, and jaywalking in order to uphold law and order and, in the long run, decrease serious crimes.
The findings from the review indicate that, when appropriately applied with other methods of policing, the BWT can effectively reduce serious crimes within the community (Braga et al., 2015). The results of this study could significantly improve policing strategies and help establish additional insights into the applicability and effectiveness of the BWT as a crime reduction strategy. Thus, this study has significant implications for policymakers and law enforcement agencies, as it can shape policies and practices related to policing and crime reduction (Gau & Pratt, 2010).
For instance, the study’s conclusion that the Broken Windows Theory can effectively reduce serious crimes within the community when applied appropriately with other methods of policing may influence law enforcement strategies (Braga et al., 2015). The review suggests that aggressive policing against minor crimes can be an effective tool in reducing crime rates. Therefore, police departments may want to incorporate the BWT into their policing strategies, particularly in areas with high crime rates.
Furthermore, the research may have implications for community members. The Broken Windows Theory suggests that community members play a critical role in preventing and reducing crime (Worral, 2002). . By taking ownership of their community and caring for their neighborhood, community members can discourage criminal behavior. This implies that community members can work with law enforcement to reduce crime in their neighborhoods (Jenkins, 2016).
References
Braga, A. A., Welsh, B. C., & Schnell, C. (2015). Can Policing Disorder Reduce Crime? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of Research in Crime And Delinquency, 52(4), 567–588.
Gau, J. M., & Pratt, T. C. (2010). Revisiting broken windows theory: Examining the sources of the discriminant validity of perceived disorder and crime. Journal of criminal justice, 38(4), 758-766.
Jenkins, M. J. (2016). Police support for community problem-solving and broken windows policing. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 41, 220-235.
Worrall, J. (2002). Does “Broken Windows” Law Enforcement Reduce Serious Crime? US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/Photocopy/202166NCJRS.pdf
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