Broken windows policing: The LAPD experience

The idea that police should maintain order as a means of preventing crime is embodied in the "broken windows" metaphor. Wilson and Kelling (1982) speculated that just as a broken window in a building left untended is a sign that nobody cares and invites more broken windows, disorder left untended is a sign that nobody cares and leads to fear of crime, withdrawal from public spaces, a breakdown of community controls, and more serious crime. If disorder causes crime, can the policing of disorder prevent crime?;Broken windows policing has been credited, in part, with the historic reduction in crime that occurred in New York City in the 1990s. William Bratton, first as chief of the transit police and then as commissioner of the NYPD, made the enforcement of minor crimes an integral part of the overall policing strategy to reduce crime and restore order in the city. Bratton became the chief of the Los Angeles Police Department in October 2002.;This dissertation is a case study that describes broken windows policing as implemented by the LAPD in three reporting districts in South Los Angeles. The research attempted to answer the following questions: What are the characteristics of broken windows policing as practiced by the LAPD? To what extent did broken windows policing, as represented by the more assertive enforcement of minor offenses, affect crime in the target community? Also, did broken windows policing displace crime? And, does broken windows policing increase citizen complaints against police and incidents of police use of force?;Based on observational research and utilizing a time-series design, the results of this case study demonstrate that when implemented according to the core ideas of the original argument and in line with community and problem-oriented policing, broken windows is an effective strategy. Crime was significantly reduced in the experimental area and was not displaced to surrounding areas. In addition, officers that engaged in broken windows policing did not act more abusively toward citizens.