Location
Greenspun Hall, UNLV
Description
Abstract This research explores application of the “broken windows” theory of public disorder and urban decline to the pattern and problem of police officer fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. It contextualizes the influential theory into a 45-year timeline of significant events related to legislative efforts and traffic safety behavioral safety programs in the United States. It finds one police agency that reported fewer crimes and fewer crashes after implementing a community-wide Safe Streets program designed around “broken windows” theory in 1997. It pays particular attention to states with the highest percentages of law enforcement officer fatalities in motor vehicle crashes, primary and secondary safety belt laws, laws banning cell phone use, and characteristics of police fatalities reported in a January 2011 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report. Preliminary findings validate current academic research suggesting more police-researcher partnerships are necessary to improve police practices.
Keywords
Community policing; Police – Death; Traffic accidents; Traffic fatalities
Disciplines
Criminology | Criminology and Criminal Justice | Other Legal Studies | Social Control, Law, Crime, and Deviance | Urban Studies
Language
English
Abstract of Presentation
Included in
Criminology Commons, Criminology and Criminal Justice Commons, Other Legal Studies Commons, Social Control, Law, Crime, and Deviance Commons, Urban Studies Commons
Broken Windows, Police, &Traffic Safety
Greenspun Hall, UNLV
Abstract This research explores application of the “broken windows” theory of public disorder and urban decline to the pattern and problem of police officer fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. It contextualizes the influential theory into a 45-year timeline of significant events related to legislative efforts and traffic safety behavioral safety programs in the United States. It finds one police agency that reported fewer crimes and fewer crashes after implementing a community-wide Safe Streets program designed around “broken windows” theory in 1997. It pays particular attention to states with the highest percentages of law enforcement officer fatalities in motor vehicle crashes, primary and secondary safety belt laws, laws banning cell phone use, and characteristics of police fatalities reported in a January 2011 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report. Preliminary findings validate current academic research suggesting more police-researcher partnerships are necessary to improve police practices.
Comments
Attached file: Abstract
Related Presentation: http://digitalcommons.library.unlv.edu/grad_symposium/2011/april20/3/