You become the new manager of an apartment complex. The owner hires you because you are an expert in broken windows theory. In the tour of the facility the owner shows you an opening in the fence
She explains that through the last two years, the block has been continually broken and removed resulting in an opening of about six feet across. She tells you that it started with the top course becoming loose from the juveniles hopping the fence to cut across the field to the store. She shows you an electric box right where the opening is that juveniles would use to hop over the 6-foot fence. She says that everyone was using the opening as a shortcut to the store, but now there is a nightly group of juveniles gathered around in the field next to where the opening is–drinking, smoking, and who knows what else. She tells you that tenants are complaining and are afraid to park their cars anywhere close to the fence opening. She tells you to decide whether or not to have the fence rebuilt and eliminate the opening or to build a gate into the opening. What might be some pros and cons to the two options?
The broken windows theory posits that an area appearing to be run down and not cared for could be attractive to those involved in quality of life crimes, such as prostitution, drugs, loitering, malicious mischief, etc. The opening in the fence had been beneficial to the residents at first, but eventually became an area that tenants tried to avoid at night. If you rebuild the fence, the juveniles would likely move to another spot closer to the end of the fence, but the electric box still would remain as a boost for juveniles to hop over. The fence may begin to break down again through time. Those tenants who avoid the shortcut in the evening would also lose the option of cutting through during the day. If you choose to build in a gate, it may not accomplish enough by itself. The juveniles could still gather at night near the gate. It may take a little more than just a gate to end the problem. The gate could be locked at night, not allowing anyone access, a light could be installed that shines into the area where the juveniles enjoy their ruckus activities, and police could be called out periodically to check the juveniles out and make appropriate arrests. Sometimes just a different look won't be as effective by itself without more crime prevention strategies being included.
You might also like to view...
When the defense presents evidence that the accused was not at or near the scene of the crime at the time the crime was committed, this is an example of a(n) ___________ defense.
Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).
Answer the following statement(s) true (T) or false (F)
1. Many of the activities commonly classified as white collar crimes are violations of administrative rather than statutory law. 2. Concern with commercial misconduct began only in the 19th century, with the advent of industrialization and capitalism. 3. The 2008 financial crisis was widely blamed on a deregulatory philosophy that proliferated under both the Reagan and Bush Adminstrations. 4. Following the “Black Death” in the 14th century, laws were enacted in England to regulate wages as well as punish those who refused to work. 5. The Court’s decision in the famous Carrier’s case of 1473 recognized a legal distinction between possession and ownership.
More emphasis on due process in juvenile courts likely will lead to:
A) less individualized rehabilitative strategies. B) greater certainty of punishment. C) more objective judicial decision making. D) All of the above.
Describe adolescence-limited offenders and provide an example.
What will be an ideal response?