The broken windows theory is an idea that uses broken windows as a comparison to a community that is not civilized and probably at threat for criminal activity. The officers involved would say that this theory applies to the anonymous community because the problems and criminal activity within the community as well as the crimes affecting other communities are a direct relation to the gang activity within the community (Mckee, 2016).
For the most part the people that are assimilating are people who obey the rules and the law. A foot patrol officer would not find much harm in these people. However some of the people are members of a gang which could prevent many threats and problems within anonymous city and the progressive city that police officers will have to face. The relationship between the people who break laws and the police could be strained and if it is difficult to determine the difference the entire community and officers would face issues learning to trust one another.
In diverse communities communication is the key to success. If an officer is unable to communicate with the community then there is a barrier between them. To communicate more effectively the officers could learn simple commands in the community’s language. If there is more than one language handheld translators would be efficient (Shah, Aquino & Welter, 2016).
Community policing means officers could take part in simple things within the community which would help them understand the community and vice versa. Things like meetings and social gatherings would be great opportunities.
Lens Two Community Member
A community member might find it hard to believe the broken window theory especially if they are one of the members that have resided in the community for many years. These members would see the neighborhood they are holding on to and not the way that it has changed for the worse.
It would be difficult to assimilate and become a part of a change because change can be scary especially for the older community members. Thinking of the town being destroyed means that they would lose the homes they know and love. A community member might find this more comforting if they are aware of the crime that comes with the decay.
Community members that cannot communicate with officers will probably be reluctant to cooperate because they will not understand why all of the changes are happening. They may see officers as a threat or feel like they are being punished for the gang member’s crimes.
A community member would probably feel more comfortable with officers that are involved and care about the community. They will welcome officers that make an effort to be a part of things rather than just a force to change everything.
Summary
Both the foot patrol officer and the community member’s opinions were difficult to assess however it is a little more difficult to assess how a foot patrol officer would feel about being assigned to help foresee changes in the anonymous community. To understand things from the officer’s perspective it took looking up outside resources that were not in the text which could help explain how things have been difficult and problem solving that was incorporated in similar situations. Understanding the different perspectives was the key to answering how each side would feel and want to approach a situation like the one that anonymous community did.
References
Mckee, A. (2016). broken windows theory | academic theory. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 5 February 2016, from http://www.britannica.com/topic/broken-windows-theory
Shah, S., Aquino, M., & Welter, J. (2016). Breaking Through the Language Barrier: Promising Practices from the Field | CALEA®. Calea.org. Retrieved 5 February 2016, from http://www.calea.org/calea-update-magazine/issue-96/breaking-through-language-barrier-promising-practices-field
