Theory of Broken Windows: Historical Background, Interpretation, and Debate
In the heart of the 1980s, a theory known as the Broken Windows Theory was introduced by George Kelling and James Q. Wilson in an article. The theory suggested that visible signs of disorder and neglect, such as broken windows, encourage further crime and antisocial behavior, as they signal that an area is uncared for and law enforcement is not active.
This theory seemed to offer a solution to the city's problems, as crime rates decreased when it was implemented. However, its implementation raised significant concerns. Dr. Mindy Fullilove, a social psychiatrist and professor, argues that the theory, when implemented, ignores the actual broken windows in the neighborhood and picks on the people who are just desperately trying to survive without adequate resources.
The theory's most notable use in policing is in New York City in the 1990s, under the leadership of Rudy Giuliani. Police started to focus on minor crimes as a way to clean up the city. However, Dr. Fullilove adds that this approach was, in some parts, responsible for the increase in incarceration rates in the United States due to the increase in arrests and the need for placement.
People with mental health and substance use disorders are disproportionately represented within the prison system, with up to 60% of those in jails having some sort of mental health disorder. Dr. Dia Arpon, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, states that people without mental health and substance use treatment may turn to crimes such as stealing and prostitution, leading to incarceration and worse health outcomes.
Generational trauma can be passed down from generation to generation, affecting mental health and leading to a constant state of terror or hypervigilance. The withdrawal of public and private resources from poor neighborhoods and forced displacement of people from many public programs has led to a rise in crime, but the source of the rise in crime was lack of jobs and external destruction of the neighborhood.
A 2019 meta-analysis found that neighborhood disorder can negatively affect mental health, substance misuse, and overall health perception. Actions based on broken windows theory were disproportionately aimed at neighborhoods with high minority populations and lower socioeconomic status. Between 1999 and 2008, New York City paid out close to $400 million in damages to those who filed lawsuits against members of the New York Police Department.
It's important to note that the Broken Windows Theory has been criticised for its red herring fallacy, as it tends to redirect the conversation away from the root causes of crime, such as poverty, lack of opportunities, and systemic issues. Instead, it focuses on minor infractions and the appearance of disorder.
Strategies can be used to help deal with this constant state of terror or hypervigilance, such as seeking mental health support. It's crucial to address the underlying issues that contribute to crime and disorder in communities, rather than solely focusing on the symptoms.
