Broken windows and our role and responsibility as Guardians

One of my favorite bloggers, Bruce Schneier points to a study that reviews the effectiveness of fixing "broken windows" in reducing criminal behavior.

February 20, 2009

The "Broken Windows" Theory of Crimefighting

http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2009/02/the_broken_wind.html

Evidence of its effectiveness:

Researchers, working with police, identified 34 crime hot spots. In half of them, authorities set to work—clearing trash from the sidewalks, fixing street lights, and sending loiterers scurrying. Abandoned buildings were secured, businesses forced to meet code, and more arrests made for misdemeanors. Mental health services and homeless aid referrals expanded.

In the remaining hot spots, normal policing and services continued.

Then researchers from Harvard and Suffolk University sat back and watched, meticulously recording criminal incidents in each of the hot spots.

The results, just now circulating in law enforcement circles, are striking: A 20 percent plunge in calls to police from the parts of town that received extra attention. It is seen as strong scientific evidence that the long-debated "broken windows" theory really works—that disorderly conditions breed bad behavior, and that fixing them can help prevent crime.

[...]

Many police departments across the country already use elements of the broken windows theory, or focus on crime hot spots. The Lowell experiment offers guidance on what seems to work best. Cleaning up the physical environment was very effective; misdemeanor arrests less so, and boosting social services had no apparent impact.

This conforms with my belief that order creates more order and chaos creates more chaos, when we feel safe and secure in our bodies and property we are more likely to play by the rules of our society. While it is a fairly big conceptual leap, I am going to argue that this applies to our presence in the maritime domain as well. Our presence in the maritime domain as Auxiliarists (be it on ramps, on the water, or on the radio) reminds our fellow mariners that they are operating in a safe environment and that their actions for good or ill will be noticed. This sense of well being leads to sensible, safe and courteous behavior.

This only works to the extent that we are seen as positive agents for our society, that we play by the rules, keep our facilities in good order, do not exceed our authority, wear our uniforms properly and proudly and keep to our core values. Where we fail at any one of these duties we owe our nation we contribute to chaos rather than order and therefore work against our mission.

Let's remember that our activities reflect upon ourselves, the Auxiliary and the Coast Guard and seek to maximize our power for good. I'm proud to note that we do a very good job of this while at the same time being fully cognizant that from time to time I've not managed to live up to the challenge. Our responsibilities are great but I count myself lucky to have the opportunity to meet these challenges in such good company.