In a message dated 6/20/2007 9:51:38 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
if there's anything that can be learned from NYC's efforts a decade ago it is that focusing on quality of life crime with zero tolerance is the best way to reduce the more serious crimes. I, like many others, witnessed that transformation in NYC in the 90s. And was impressed with Guiliani on that front at least. I also remember some crying, foul fascists tactics at the time. But I also saw the no broken windows philosophy work very close to me. My school district started to experience some problems with graffiti and littering around the building. I saw one of the culprits in action one day emptying his locker garbage onto the hallway floor and leaving it there. I asked him to pick up after himself. Spoiled white kid of professional parents replied that's was why we hire janitors. I insisted, so scowling white boy picks up his stuff. Soon after, we got a new superintendent who required that maintenance staff remove all signs of new graffiti overnight and repair any vandalism soon after it was discovered. If student was caught, he or his parents were fined. Also, each time halls emptied after change of classes, maintenance people immediately moved through every hallway and swept/mopped all litter away so that at next bell students saw halls clean again. (Floors also shined from some chemical they use in the mops.) Within months, our building was basically free of litter. Students followed the model and cleaned up after themselves without intimidating gestapo tactics. In my book of anecdotes, zero-tolerance works. Consistent modeling works (along with judicious use of strongly worded warnings and fines.) I can't prove this, but I also noticed a nice improvement in overall attitude among the students. Pride in their surroundings. Sounds Pollyannaish, or Leave it to Beaver-ish, butI I saw the theory in practice. Oh yeah, one more thing. Supervisors insisted that teachers stand outside their classrooms between periods. High visibility worked too. A liberal for zero tolerance.... ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.
