Take care of the small stuff and the big stuff will take care of itself.
The broken windows theory is a criminological theory of the norm-setting and signaling effect of urban disorder and vandalism on additional crime and anti-social behavior. The theory states that maintaining and monitoring urban environments in a well-ordered condition may stop further vandalism and escalation into more serious crime[1].
From the article: There also was no proof who did the smash-and-grab, so even if [the police] had come, it would have been tricky to charge them with anything.
That's hogwash. Possession of stolen property is a criminal offence in Washington State[2].
The crime and disorder in downtown Seattle is shocking, even to people from other big cities[3]. In 2013, Seattle had 2,356 property crimes per 100,000 population[4]. By comparison, New York City had a property crime rate of just 795 per 100,000[5].
The broken windows theory is a criminological theory of the norm-setting and signaling effect of urban disorder and vandalism on additional crime and anti-social behavior. The theory states that maintaining and monitoring urban environments in a well-ordered condition may stop further vandalism and escalation into more serious crime[1].
From the article: There also was no proof who did the smash-and-grab, so even if [the police] had come, it would have been tricky to charge them with anything.
That's hogwash. Possession of stolen property is a criminal offence in Washington State[2].
The crime and disorder in downtown Seattle is shocking, even to people from other big cities[3]. In 2013, Seattle had 2,356 property crimes per 100,000 population[4]. By comparison, New York City had a property crime rate of just 795 per 100,000[5].
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broken_windows_theory
[2] http://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/possession-stolen-prope...
[3] http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2021696782_westneat28...
[4] http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2013/p...
[5] http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2013/p...