As the author of "Broken Windows, Broken Business," I feel compelled to address the critique against "Broken Windows" policing — primarily driven by Columbia Law School's Bernard Harcourt — rests not on the failure of the theory but on a selective interpretation of data and an ideological aversion to pragmatic law enforcement.
To dismiss Broken Windows as a "fraud" is to disregard decades of empirical evidence and to insult the lived experiences of communities that have benefited from its implementation.
The fundamental premise of Broken Windows theory, introduced by James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling in The Atlantic (1982), is simple yet powerful: visible signs of disorder (like vandalism, fare evasion, or public drinking) create an environment conducive to more serious crimes.
Addressing minor infractions reinforces community norms and deters escalations into violent criminality.
This theory, while controversial, has been validated by numerous real-world examples and academic studies.
New York City's Transformation
When Broken Windows policing was systematically applied in New York City under Police Commissioner William Bratton and Mayor Rudy Giuliani in the 1990s, the results were staggering. Between 1990 and 2000:
- Felony crimes dropped by 57%
- Homicides fell by 65%
Skeptics like Harcourt argue these reductions were coincidental, attributing them to broader socio-economic trends.
However, criminologists like George Kelling and William Sousa's studies (Justice Quarterly, 2002) demonstrated that neighborhoods where Broken Windows tactics were actively enforced, saw significantly more significant crime reductions than those where they were not.
These outcomes cannot be hand-waved away as mere happenstance.
Empirical Validation Beyond Gotham
The benefits of Broken Windows have been observed beyond New York City.
In 2005, the University of Groningen in the Netherlands conducted a rigorous field study that confirmed Broken Windows dynamics.
When signs of disorder (e.g., graffiti or litter) were present, individuals were:
- Twice as likely to litter themselves
- More likely to commit minor infractions
This supports the idea that disorder breeds more disorder — a core tenet of Broken Windows.
Improving Community, Quality of Life
Critics like Harcourt focus disproportionately on the potential for abuse (e.g., stop-and-frisk) while ignoring the core benefit: improving community life.
Residents of historically underserved neighborhoods have repeatedly expressed that reducing low-level crime enhances their quality of life.
A 2001 study by Wesley Skogan ("Disorder and Decline") found that when Broken Windows strategies were employed, residents reported:
- Greater feelings of safety
- Higher confidence in law enforcement
Addressing the Critiques
Harcourt's argument in "The Illusion of Order" claims that Broken Windows leads to harmful practices.
While any policy can be misapplied, that is not an indictment of the theory itself.
Effective policing relies on balanced enforcement, community engagement, and accountability — not abandoning strategies that have demonstrably worked.
To borrow from George Orwell, "Some ideas are so stupid, only intellectuals can believe them." Dismissing Broken Windows because it offends academic sensibilities ignores practical evidence.
Law-abiding citizens — especially in vulnerable neighborhoods — deserve environments free of chaos and decay.
In conclusion, the Broken Windows theory remains a valuable framework for maintaining order and preventing crime escalation.
Harcourt's ideological dismissal is precisely that: ideology.
Real-world results, not theoretical dogma, should guide effective public safety policies.
Michael Levine is an American writer and public relations expert. He is the author of books on public relations including Guerrilla PR. He's represented 58 Academy Award winners, 34 Grammy Award winners, and 43 New York Times best-sellers, including Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, and George Carlin among many others. Levine also appeared in "POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold," a 2011 documentary by Morgan Spurlock. Levine has provided commentary for Variety, Forbes, Fox News, The New York Times, and USA Today. He has been referred to in different publications as the "Michael Jordan of Entertainment PR." Read More of Michael Levine's Reports — Here.
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