Editing Broken windows theory (section)

{{Short description|Criminological theory}}
{{About|the criminological theory|the economic theory|Parable of the broken window}}
[[File:Stelhi Silk Mill Lanco broken windows.JPG|thumb|upright=1.3|Broken windows of the [[Stehli Silks|Stehli Silk Mill]] in [[Manheim Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania]]]]
{{Criminology and penology |theory}}

In [[criminology]], the '''broken windows theory''' states that visible signs of [[crime]], [[antisocial behavior]] and [[civil disorder]] create an [[Urban area|urban environment]] that encourages further crime and disorder, including serious crimes.<ref name="wilson_kelling" /> The theory suggests that policing methods that target minor crimes, such as [[vandalism]], [[loitering]], [[public drinking]] and [[fare evasion]], help to create an atmosphere of order and lawfulness.

The theory was introduced in a 1982 article by conservative think tanks social scientists [[James Q. Wilson]] and [[George L. Kelling]].<ref name="wilson_kelling">{{cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=James Q. |last2=Kelling |first2=George L. |title=Broken Windows |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1982/03/broken-windows/304465/ |website=www.theatlantic.com |access-date=29 October 2020 |date=March 1982 |archive-date=18 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418141450/http://www.theatlantic.com//doc//198203//broken-windows |url-status=live }}</ref> It was popularized in the 1990s by [[New York City]] police commissioner [[William Bratton]], whose policing policies were influenced by the theory.

The theory became subject to debate both within the [[social science]]s and the public sphere. Broken windows policing has been enforced with controversial police practices, such as the high use of [[stop-and-frisk in New York City]] in the decade up to 2013.