Fixing Broken Windows: Restoring Order And Reducing Crime In Our Communities

by George L. Kelling, Catherine M. Coles

Based on a groundbreaking theory of crime prevention, this practical and empowering book shows how citizens, business owners, and police can work together to ensure the safety of their communities. George Kelling, one of America’s leading criminologists, has proven the success of his method across the country, from the New York City subways to the public parks of Seattle. Here, Kelling and urban anthropologist and lawyer Catherine Coles demonstrate that by controlling disorderly behavior in public spaces, we can create an environment where serious crime cannot flourish, and they explain how to adapt these effective methods for use in our own homes and communities.

Genres: Crime, Politics, Psychology, Nonfiction, Police

336 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1995

About the author

George L. Kelling was an American criminologist, a professor in the School of Criminal Justice at Rutgers University–Newark, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, and a fellow at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He previously taught at Northeastern University.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are interesting about policing strategies and urban street crime, this is definitly a book worth looking into. The book is written adressing the attempts at policing strategies based on the Broken Window Theory, a theory put forth encouraging law enforcement to be proactive in preventing crimes rather than being reactive to them. The book studies initiatives by major cities from New York to Chicago from the 1980s to mid 90s. The book has interesting conclusions about the successes and failures of such initiatives, however since it is written by one of the pioneers of the broken window theory it does seem a bit biased. Perhaps if written by someone else the book could have been more even handed in its analysis in successes and failures.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly a page turner, but then again it wasn't meant to be. The authors go through a bit of the history of policing and the shift from order maintenance to reactive policing and "picking up the pieces" followed by examples of the "broken windows" methods, mainly focusing on graffiti, panhandling, and sidewalk occupation. Much of the book is spent discussing the legal implications of "broken windows" order maintenance, the various court challenges those policies faced, and how to plan for those challenges. The authors are definitely biased toward the "broken windows" approach, so those of a certain mindset may want to consult their physicians before reading this book, or at least make sure to have a supply of diapers handy.

[Nick Mount · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book-length version and follow-up to James Wilson and Kelling’s 1982 Atlantic article, by Kelling and "urban anthropologist" and lawyer Catherine Coles, with a foreword by Wilson. Like the original essay it is mostly focused on order-maintenance (here sometimes called "quality-of-life") policing rather than repairing vandalism, but there is some attention to and evidence for the effectiveness of cleaning subways and parks in NYC. Chapter 3, a history and explanation of how American police developed from assisting communities, maintaining order, and preventing crime into professional crime-fighters driven by the 911 system, is very good and still relevant today.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was quite a bit of repetition and it wasn't clearly organized. I think the principles were good and well outlined. It covers psychology, intuition, discretion, and all sorts of important integrative disciplines. I just wish it had been outlined better.

[Anneliese · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you can look past the tainted term "broken windows" what you will find is a fascinating call for community policing. There is a lot here on how to reprioritize the criminal justice system.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many good things to say about this book, I hardly know where to start. I don't want to sound like I'm gushing, but I really don't feel like I could say enough here.

One of the most important things about the book is that it had three basic themes: where we were, where we are, and how to fix it. Most books like this that chronicle everything wrong with the current system end on that note: everything is wrong, everything is bad, it's not getting any better, woe is us, DOOOOM +3. Instead of stopping there, the authors actually performed the unusual but helpful step of going beyond that and giving a concrete framework of how to change things. Also, they back up their suggestions with helpful examples of how other cities and police departments have changed things, what they've done wrong and right.

I think I really connected to their argument that little problems (disorder) turn into big problems (index crime) through neglect and inappropriate actions by police and prosectors. I prosecute in municipal court, which is the low-level offenses they're talking about. Sometimes I feel like I'm not a "real" prosecutor because all I'm dealing with is traffic violations, minors in possession, violations of city ordinances, etc. Surely making a difference involves more than "Get rid of all of these abandoned cars. No, seriously." Being validated that what I do is actually important was great for me. Everyone I know who works in policing, prosecuting, or is in any way interested in social justice, is going to get a copy of this for Christmas.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really solid theories and applicable to a lot of criminological issues. The original article in 1982 was already groundbreaking, explaining how disorderly behavior brings about the breakdown of community controls. Essentially, the presence of uncontrolled, unpredictable individuals in a neighbourhood—such as intoxicated people and those experiencing mental health conditions—can lead to more disorder and crime. I used a lot of information in this and the 1982 article in an essay for my class that argues that preventative measures that stop the escalation of mental health emergencies are more effective than reactive responses. The book is kind of repetitive at times though.

12/01/2024

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is some really important information in here, but it is written in such a dry, tedious manner as to make it almost completely inaccessible for the layperson. Also, I think the emphasis on order could lead in the wrong direction. Maybe the real source of the benefit is the involvement and caring--the buy-in from community members, rather than how strictly order laws are enforced.

[Elke]

i had really high expectations for this book and thought it would help me in my understanding of being part of the gentrificational force in a community. so far it reads like a terrible written textbook. let's see if it gets better.

edit: i feel stuck. i may just have to skim through...

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

For how expertise the authors have in curbing crime, this is a very important book. The writing itself is a bit boring and repetitive, though, and it wasn't the sort of book that drove you to finish it.

[Kaitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book that portays criminal intent and action from a sociological level. this doesn't erase the crime but provides a different view, which at times, scarily, makes sense

[Laura Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

way old promotional book - pretty good for it's day.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent example of a crime control model which can be just as successful when applied to community policing programs as it can be for counter-insurgency operations.

[Yusuf Pratama · Rating 5 out of 5]

the great ever book in this world!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good lessons about the evolution of policing theory. Lots of discussion about the caselaw on first amendment rights to solicit, how NYC 'won' the graffiti battle on the subway, etc.

[Karl Schonborn]

Excellent presentation of how O-tolerance for crimes evolved.