NCJ Number
225260
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 36 Issue: 6 Dated: November/December 2008 Pages: 529-538
Date Published
November 2008
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study examined the relationship between broken windows enforcement and clearance rates for Uniform Crime Report (UCR) Part 1 offenses.
Abstract
The study examined and compared potential theoretical linkage between broken windows enforcement and investigative effectiveness; analysis showed inconsistent results on the relationship between broken windows enforcement and clearance rates of different offense categories. Broken window enforcement showed only a positive relationship when compared to the clearance rates of burglaries and auto theft. For the larceny clearance rates, this study found a negative relationship. Other than these three offense categories there was no significant relationship between clearance rates and broken windows enforcement. Based on this finding, the study offers no generalized conclusion about the impact of broken windows enforcement on clearance rates. However, based on the findings, the study does conclude that broken windows enforcement might have a positive effect on improving the clearance rates of place-oriented property offenses. This study found a negative relationship between agency size (number of officers) and clearance rates. Work load showed negatively significant impacts on the clearance rates for the property offense categories. Data were collected from UCR data from the 35 largest municipal police agencies in Texas for the years 1990 through 2004. Tables, appendixes, notes, references