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James Q. Wilson

1982 - James Q. Wilson published the influential “broken windows” theory of crime. If police and the community ignore public disorder (symbolized by broken windows), then law-abiding people will be intimidated and criminals will get the message that “anything goes.” 

Many police departments adopted this theory as part of “community policing.” Without good statistics on crime rates, nobody would know what worked in fighting crime.

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Program Segment 13

Interviews:
Jencks
Wilson

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PBS Program | Trends of the Century | Viewer's Voices | Interactivity | Teacher's Guide