That’s the unanswered question we are left with as a result of an analysis of what did not affect crime. Neither the CompStat crime tracking software or the increased number of arrests for misdemeanors significantly affected crime rates during this period.
Which certainly raises questions about the commonly held belief that if you take a hard line on the minor crimes it will reduce overall crime levels.
But it doesn’t tell us what did reduce the crime rate.
Unless the answer is in fact lead? http://www.skepticblog.org/2013/01/14/lead-and-crime/
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Broken-window policing not cause of crime drop in 1990s NYC | ScienceBlog.com
New York City experienced a historic decline in crime rates during the 1990s, but it was not due to the implementation of CompStat or enhanced enforcement of
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Wild stab in the dark — financial prosperity factors changed, self worth rose?
The lead story is actually the most fascinating possibility, not the least because the effect is seen in many different places, closely tracking the introduced exposure & subsequent regulation & prohibition.
+Cindy Brown oh, you mean like ancient make up?
I’ve seen arguments that Roe vs Wade meant there were fewer unwanted children growing up into criminal behavior in their late teens at that time.
Could have had a lot of contributory factors, of course.
But no-one is suggesting putting lead back into petrol, paint…
Read the The Better Angels of Our Natures for a fascinating book on the surprising reduction in violence across the centuries.