The "Broken Windows" theory of policing - targeting minor crimes to reduce major ones - has been credited with helping to bring down violent crime rates in several cities. Could such an approach reduce traffic violence?
With calls for improving the safety of New York City's streets becoming more urgent, former police commissioner William Bratton added his voice to those asking for more vigilance from the city's police department. "At a Transportation Alternatives forum this morning on reforming the agency’s approach to traffic enforcement, former NYPD commissioner (and current contender for his old job) Bill Bratton said street safety deserves more attention from the police," reports Stephen Miller.
"After Bratton’s remarks, members of the panel spoke about how the 'broken windows' theory of policing can be applied to improve traffic safety. 'Bad driving is a crime,' said Dr. George Kelling, who is credited with developing the broken windows approach in the 1980s. 'The focus is not to arrest people after they’ve committed offenses. We want to stop the next speeding event,' he said. 'We can identify people who are chronically bad drivers and who are criminal in doing so.'”
FULL STORY: Bringing “Broken Windows” to Street Safety: Bratton Talks Traffic at Forum
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