This theory, put forward in 1982 by American sociologists James Wilson and George Kelling, argued that minor problems that disturb public order in the city, such as broken windows, graffiti on walls, garbage in corridors, or noise in the evening, if not addressed, create the basis for serious crimes. That is, minor disorder in the environment stimulates crime and serves as a signal. This gives criminals a message that "there is no control here." On the contrary, in clean, orderly, and controlled places, crime decreases because the perpetrator feels the danger.
In the 1990s, Commissioner William Bratton in New York City, based on this theory, implemented a "zero tolerance policy" and took drastic measures against administrative offenses. As a result, the crime rate has significantly decreased.
