The Observation Deck

http://www.economist.com/science/displa ... d=12630201

"The researchers’ conclusion is that one example of disorder, like graffiti or littering, can indeed encourage another, like stealing...The message for policymakers and police officers is that clearing up graffiti or littering promptly could help fight the spread of crime."

To me, this validates a lot of what our new mayor is doing and he should continue to aggressively pursue every legal tool available (like the Truancy Law). Personally, I hope the city continues to crack down hard on all of this "petty" stuff because, as the study shows, it really does deter more serious crime.

Mike Farley wrote:To me, this validates a lot of what our new mayor is doing and he should continue to aggressively pursue every legal tool available (like the Truancy Law).

Two people I know left work late one night and were walking down Madison Ave. at 2 AM. One of them threw a candy wraper onto the street. Seconds later two squad cars pulled up. One officer asked them what they were doing and then gave one a ticket for littering. To me that is good policing strategy.

some teenagers just need a quick legitimate beating from the police or property managers, then run off the property. If my memory serves me right, that happened on an episode of Hickory Hideout.