In 500 words, (based on chapters 25), please explain (1) what is the position of Wilson and Kelling, (2) where did the theory of Broken Windows come from, (3) how did Wilson and Kelling support the theory.
In 500 words, please state the position of Samuel Walker in Chapter 26. He attempts to dispute several major tenets put forth by Wilson and Kelling. What are they?
In 350 words, Compare and Contrast the two approaches of policing (community in chapter 27 and problem oriented in chapter 28). Which do you think is more effective for crime control?
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Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Wilson and Kelling’s Broken Windows Theory
Position
Wilson and Kelling, in their seminal article “Broken Windows: The Police and Neighborhood Safety,” argue that maintaining order and addressing minor signs of disorder in neighborhoods can prevent serious crime. They posit that visible signs of disorder, such as broken windows, graffiti, or loitering, create an environment conducive to criminal activity by signaling a lack of social control.
Origin
The theory of Broken Windows originated from an article by Wilson and Kelling published in The Atlantic Monthly in 1982. Building on the idea that disorder breeds crime, the authors proposed a proactive approach to policing focused on addressing minor infractions and maintaining public order to prevent more serious offenses.
Support for the Theory
Wilson and Kelling supported the Broken Windows theory by highlighting how unchecked disorderly behavior can escalate into more significant criminal activity. They argued that by addressing minor offenses promptly and visibly, law enforcement can signal to potential offenders that disorder will not be tolerated, thus deterring crime. The theory emphasizes the importance of community engagement, police presence, and collaboration between law enforcement and residents to create safe and orderly neighborhoods.
Samuel Walker’s Critique of Broken Windows Theory
Disputes by Samuel Walker
In Chapter 26, Samuel Walker challenges several key tenets of the Broken Windows theory put forth by Wilson and Kelling. He disputes the following:
1. Causality: Walker questions the direct causal link between disorder and serious crime proposed by Wilson and Kelling, suggesting that other factors may contribute to crime rates.
2. Over-Policing: Walker raises concerns about the potential for over-policing and discriminatory practices in implementing Broken Windows policing strategies, particularly in minority communities.
3. Efficacy: Walker argues that empirical evidence supporting the effectiveness of Broken Windows policing in reducing crime is inconclusive and subject to interpretation.
Comparison of Community Policing and Problem-Oriented Policing
Community Policing
Community policing emphasizes building partnerships between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Officers work collaboratively with residents to identify and address local concerns, engage in problem-solving initiatives, and promote trust and cooperation.
Problem-Oriented Policing
Problem-oriented policing focuses on analyzing specific crime issues or recurring problems within communities. Police officers use data-driven approaches to identify root causes of crime, develop tailored solutions, and collaborate with various stakeholders to address underlying issues.
Effectiveness for Crime Control
While both community policing and problem-oriented policing have unique strengths, problem-oriented policing may be more effective for crime control in certain contexts. Problem-oriented policing allows for targeted interventions based on data analysis and a thorough understanding of underlying issues contributing to crime. By addressing root causes and implementing evidence-based strategies, problem-oriented policing can lead to sustainable crime reduction outcomes. However, community policing remains essential for building trust, fostering positive police-community relationships, and promoting long-term community safety and well-being. A combination of both approaches tailored to specific community needs and crime challenges may offer the most comprehensive and effective approach to crime control.
