[BigV]

I think the broken window policy of policing is stupid doomed to failure.

First of all, it can never actually happen, that there'll be a zero tolerance approach to crimes. There will **always** be crime, large and small, and the hope that by enforcing criminal prosecution of every crime, no matter how small, will prevent crimes in the future is an unprovable fantasy.

Let me ask you, those of you who support such an approach, give me an example of another zero-tolerance policy that has succeeded in the prevention of transgressions? What about zero-tolerance for weapons or drugs in schools? What about abstinence only policies for sexual behavior? Mandatory minimum sentencing in our courts? What about "broken-window-policing" in any location, anywhere? Where has it worked?

It hasn't. Because there *are* crimes/drugs/weapons/sexing/whatever happening, the enforcement will, almost by definition be selective. THAT'S the problem. Which transgressors are selected, and the justification that "we have a zero-tolerance policy against that" gives a official fig leaf for the enforcers, and can be blithely ignored when that is more convenient. It is inevitable, inescapable that the rules will be enforced selectively.

Imagine if it were not; is it even desirable to have everyone who is driving over the speed limit by any amount stopped? How is that even possible? Where will we get enough cops and prosecutors and jailers? How can that be sustained? And who the fuck wants that?

The worst part is that I, and I believe most others in my community, want police officers who are thoughtful, who exercise good judgement, who can and will choose among the range of responses they have to the infinite situations they face in my neighborhood and not just reflexively, mechanically "following orders".