Problem-oriented policing and breaking window theory are among the crime solutions adopted by various states in the United States. The breaking window is a criminology concept, which argues that visible signs of crime, civil disorder, and anti-social behavior create an environment, which supports more disorder and crime. On the other hand, SARA (scanning, analysis, response, and assessment) is the problem-solving approach widely adopted as community-oriented policing to reduce or solve crime incidences in the United States. Moreover, SARA and the breaking window theories have been playing a vital role when it comes to analysis and solving of complex criminal cases that have been happening in various societies around the world. For instance, minor crimes such as jaywalking, vandalism, and fare evasion have been solved by the breaking-window concept not to emerge or create more severe crimes in the region. Through the SARA model description, an individual can identify the importance of broken window theory and the SARA approach when applied in a community policing strategy.
SARA (scanning, Analysis, Response, and Assessment) Model
The first step is scanning, which comprises in-depth research of modern and recurring crime concerns in society. The stage requires an in-depth analysis of information regarding the society that experience complicated crimes more often than other regions. For instance, the police can analyze the community's perception in regards to a particular issue and understand the perceptions of individuals about the law.
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Analysis of the problem is the second stage of law enforcement, which involves the community members. The community members are consulted by the law enforcement body to help determine the leading cause of the crimes occurring in society (Porter, 2013). For instance, in most cases, the crime grounds are complex and nuanced; hence, this stage requires thorough and profound research to get the free-biased results.
After the in-depth analysis to find the primary cause or root of the society's problem, law enforcement decides to move to the next step of response. The response stage requires law enforcement and the community individuals to suggest the long terms and a comprehensive strategy on ending the crime or solving the issue (Sidebottom & Tilley, 2011). For instance, the community members suggest the best and available option that can end the root cause of the problems so that they do not occur in the first place.
Once the law enforcement and the community members have established the response, they decide to evaluate or assess the set actions to weigh their effectiveness in society. Through the adoption of the assessment process, the community members and law enforcement can identify the steps' weaknesses and make adjustments accordingly to accomplish the intended purpose. Thus, law enforcement records the data for future use or reference to other related cases if the assessment produces a positive result or achieves the intended goal or objective.
Benefits of Broken Window Theory and SARA
Most communities have adopted a broken window and SARA as the community policing strategy that has resulted in a positive outcome of controlling crime in society. The broken theory has often been used by the NYPD and has been shown to solve complex crimes (Sidebottom & Tilley, 2011). For instance, the police are involved in complex societies that face complicated crimes to instill peace and reduce individuals' panic for meeting major crimes among the residents. Thus, adopting the SARA theory enlightens law enforcement and society to prevent minor crimes from becoming prevalent in the community.
The SARA model is associated with the positive impacts of solving complicated issues within society. The Sara model requires that the police officers be familiar or have already worked with the communities to have good relationships with the members to accomplish their mission (Porter, 2013). For instance, street drinking is a minor crime or issue that society needs to solve. Still, the root or cause of the problem might be poverty, the availability of large containers of beer, or lack of education. Therefore, the adoption of the SARA approach in community policing by the police helps prevent the incident's occurrence again in society by shutting down the loopholes or roots of the problem.
George started the broken window theory to prevent minor crimes that can lead to more enormous crimes in society. The broken windows were first implemented between 1989-1998 in the United States in New York City when crime rate started soaring to higher heights (Longley, 2019). For instance, through the adoption of the broken window policing, the theory solved about 60,000 violent cases. Thus, the application of the window theory in current community policing will have to follow the recent technological advancement because they eliminate some of the technology-related crimes.
Conclusion
The broken window and SARA theory of community policing plays a significant role in controlling crime in societies. Moreover, the states that employ the above policing types when enforcing community policing have to work closely with the community members to understand their perception about certain crimes to avoid biases when addressing or solving the problem. For instance, if the community elders and the political leaders of the regions are briefed about the role of SARA and broken windows, they can fully support the theory.
References
Longley, R. (2019, July 03). What Is the Broken Windows Theory? https://www.thoughtco.com/broken-windows-theory-4685946
Sidebottom, A., & Tilley, N. (2011). Improving problem-oriented policing: The need for a new model?. Crime Prevention And Community Safety , 13 (2), 79-101. https://doi.org/10.1057/cpcs.2010.21
Porter, L. (2013). Beyond ‘oversight’: a problem-oriented approach to police reform. Police Practice And Research, 14(2), 169-181. https://doi.org/10.1080/15614263.2013.767096
