SOSC 3654 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Broken Windows Theory, Urban Decay

• School: York University
• Department: Social Science
• Course: SOSC 3654
• Professor: Amanda Glasbeek

Document Summary

Broken windows is a reference of comparison to explain the cause of crime occurring. The implications of this point of view are that minor offenses have serious consequences for the life of the neighborhoods and communities leading citizens, city officials, and police to ignore the root causes. It believes in the criminology of the other as criminals and crime is seen as external, outsiders and predatory that needs to be eliminated by force. Policy implications based on the broken windows theory tries to move the police away the police from the cjs and more into active front line aggressive role and tries to manage crime through order maintenance. This model believes that waiting until serious crimes occur to intervene is too late and dealing with disorderly behavior early will prevent the cycle from accelerating and perpetuating itself. This was because riders of the subway associated graffiti seen on the subway with other maintenance issues and led them to fear.