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Cops Slow To Enforce Broken Windows, Yet Crime Is Still Down
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 20, 2015
Modified Jan 20, 2015
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 20, 2015
Modified Jan 20, 2015
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The NYPD continues to steadily increase the number of arrests and summonses they issue since the beginning of last month's "slowdown," but infractions for petty offenses are still lower than they were last year, and so is overall crime.
According to CompStat data obtained by the Times, arrests have climbed to 6,910, a 47% increase over the previous week's numbers but a 20% decline from the same period in 2014.
Summonses for offenses like open container or disorderly conduct, while up 121% from last week to 3,283, are still much lower than "normal"; down 56% from 2014.
And yet in almost all major categories [PDF], crime is down by 10.75%. Crime in the subway is down by 42%, even though the police are handing out far fewer summonses for turnstile jumping or resting your feet on a open seat. (Parking tickets have increased by 150%, but are still 38% below their level last year.)
Is it possible to ticket and arrest fewer New Yorkers for petty offenses and also see decreases in serious crime? Guess we'll have to wait for a new mayor and police commissioner to find out.
Tagged
broken windows
nypd slowdown
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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