In the 1980s, the New York subway was a lawless place plagued by constant incidents. Annually, there were around 15,000 serious crimes, and fare evasion reached 250,000 instances daily. However, by 1988, serious crimes in the subway had decreased by a staggering 75%. How was this dramatic change possible?
“The Decline in Crime in the New York Subway”
In the 1990s, the New York subway authorities began focusing on small, seemingly insignificant issues. They cracked down on minor but frequent crimes. They targeted fare evasion and cleaned off the graffiti that covered the trains.
In particular, whenever even a small amount of graffiti was found on a train, it was cleaned off before the train was put back into service the next day. This thorough attention to minor details led to a reduction in crime rates and made people feel safer using the subway.
“Why Did the New York Subway Focus on Small Things?”
The New York subway’s focus on minor issues was inspired by the “Broken Windows Theory.” This theory posits that leaving a broken window unrepaired will lead to more crime in that area. It suggests that neglecting minor disorders can eventually cause widespread crime throughout the area. This theory was first introduced by American criminologists James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling in their March 1982 article “Broken Windows” in The Atlantic. The authors discuss the theory as follows:
Wilson and Kelling referenced a 1969 field study by Stanford University psychologist Philip Zimbardo. Zimbardo left two used cars in different locations: one in the Bronx, a lower-income area, and the other near Stanford University in Palo Alto, a more affluent area. Both cars were left with their hoods slightly open (without breaking the windows). In the Bronx, the car was stripped of its battery and radiator within 10 minutes, and nearly everything was gone within 24 hours. In Palo Alto, the car remained untouched for five days. When Zimbardo began to smash the windows of the car in Palo Alto, passersby joined in the vandalism.
“Broken Windows Theory”
The Broken Windows Theory asserts that “neglecting minor damage, such as a broken window, leads to more significant crime.” If minor issues are left unattended, people believe that no one cares, leading to more criminal activity.
The maintenance project of the New York subway serves as a proof of this theory. The EBS program “The Two Faces of Human Nature” in South Korea conducted an experiment supporting this theory.
“The Garbage Bag Experiment”
In a busy area of Seoul where people frequently littered, researchers placed a single garbage bag and observed people’s behavior. Upon seeing the bag, more people started littering, turning the area into a trash heap.
“Preventing Littering in a Dumping Area”
To transform the littered area into a “no-littering zone,” researchers installed a flowerbed. The presence of the flowerbed made people perceive the area as a valued and maintained space, resulting in less littering.
“The Broken Window and Open Door Car Experiment”
Another experiment by EBS involved placing an apparently abandoned car with a broken window and an open door in an alley, leaving a camera and wallet inside. How did people react to the abandoned car? Eventually, someone got into the car and stole the camera and wallet.
“Address Small Issues to Prevent Bigger Problems”
Minor disorder can lead to greater disorder. If small problems are neglected, larger issues can arise. To prevent bigger problems, it is important to pay attention to minor wrongdoings.