the.com/broken windows
the theory that a cracked window left unfixed is an invitation to smash the rest.
means the idea that visible small disorder — litter, graffiti, one broken window — signals no one's watching, encouraging bigger crime.
from coined in a 1982 atlantic essay by james q. wilson and george kelling, who imagined a single unrepaired window as a sign of neglect that invites vandals to break the rest, then loot the building.
nyc policinginspired 1990s crackdowns on fare-jumping, graffiti
disputed sciencelater studies found weak causal evidence
critics sayoften used to justify over-policing minor offenses