Broken Window Theory

• Who concluded that community self-regulation impacts crime and deviance?

  James Q. Wilson
• What does the "broken windows" in the theory symbolize?

  Neglect and tolerance of low-level deviance
• In which city was the Broken Windows Theory famously applied in the 1990s?

  New York
• What was the response of policy-makers to the Broken Windows Theory?

  Zero tolerance policing
• What does "three strikes and you're out" refer to in the context of Broken Windows Theory?

  Serious sentences for repeated minor offences
• What was the goal of enforcing severe penalties for low-level crime?

  To deter more serious crime
• What was the observed impact of the policy in New York on crime rates?

  40% drop in overall crime
• What was the percentage drop in homicide rates in New York?

  Over 50%
• What are the two main criticisms of the Broken Windows policy?

  Coincidence with economic growth and justice issues
• What do critics argue is a stronger driver of crime than broken windows?

  Social conditions
• What does correlation not imply according to critics of Broken Windows Theory?

  Causality
• What is one criticism regarding the justice aspect of Broken Windows policy?

  Control without justice for minor misdemeanours
• How did the Broken Windows policy disproportionately affect certain groups?

  Heavily impacted minority ethnic groups
• How do supporters of the Broken Windows Theory respond to criticisms of police discretion?

  Zero tolerance should apply to all offenders