Broken Windows Theory and Citizen Engagement in Crime Prevention

According to broken windows theory, heightened perceptions of disorder, increased fear of crime and diminished community social control are significant inhibitors of public participation in crime prevention arising directly from concerns for personal safety and sense of futility associated with the effort required. The purpose of this study is to partially test these hypothesized links between conditions, perceptions and behaviors. The data were derived from a telephone survey of approximately 1,100 residents in Houston, Texas. In addition to the traditional survey data, social nuisance crime/disorder incidents recorded by the police in the immediate neighborhood of each respondent's residence were documented by using a GIS spatial analysis tool. The use of structural equation modeling enables us to examine the related effects of key elements of broken windows theory on citizen engagement in public safety promotion. Study results indicate that disorder incidents had a significant impact on perceptions of disorder, while perceptions of disorder tend to increase fear for personal safety, which in turn reduces sense of collective efficacy. Finally, citizen engagement in crime prevention was significantly related to collective efficacy. These findings hold true across various neighborhood contexts classified by an index of concentrated disadvantage. The findings reported here lend support to propositions derived from broken windows theory to a major extent. Study limitations and relevant implications are discussed in some detail.