Acronyms that contain the term broken windows theory 

Broken windows theory

The broken windows theory is a criminological theory that states that visible signs of crime, anti-social behavior, and civil disorder create an urban environment that encourages further crime and disorder, including serious crimes. The theory suggests that policing methods that target minor crimes, such as vandalism, loitering, public drinking, jaywalking and fare evasion, help to create an atmosphere of order and lawfulness, thereby preventing more serious crimes. The theory was introduced in a 1982 article by social scientists James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling.The theory became subject to great debate both within the social sciences and the public sphere. Broken windows policing has become associated with controversial police practices, such as the "stop-and-frisk" policy by police commissioner William Bratton and Mayor Rudy Giuliani, whose policing policies were influenced by the theory. In response, Bratton and Kelling have written that broken windows policing should not be treated as "zero tolerance" or "zealotry", but as a method that requires "careful training, guidelines, and supervision" and a positive relationship with communities, thus linking it to community policing.

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