Broken Windows

Broken Windows enforcement is really about controlling behavior to such an extent you change it: If you deal with the little things, you can keep them from going into the big things.”
 — John H. Richardson, “What I’ve Learned: NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton,” Esquire, September 10, 2016

Executive Summary
NYC’s district attorneys refuse to enforce quality-of-life crimes, making our city more dangerous. As Mayor, I’ll act where they won’t. I’ll launch a task force to crack down on these offenders, create a broken-windows court for swift accountability. Even when arrested for petty crimes, dangerous offenders will stay in jail through a local bail reform law. 

For decades, enforcing quality-of-life laws in NYC helped deter more serious offenses. The “Broken Windows” approach—cracking down on fare evasion, vandalism and public disorder—proved that those committing minor infractions were often wanted for more serious crimes. Former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton drove home the success of Broken Windows in bringing in serious criminals. “As it turns out, those who carried weapons and were wanted on warrants rarely bothered to pay the fare,” he said. “By arresting those skipping the turnstiles, we could ensure that these serious criminals would no longer offer a threat to passengers.”1

Yet today, NYC’s district attorneys are failing to enforce these laws, letting lawlessness thrive. As Mayor, I will not stand by while crime surges because prosecutors refuse to do their jobs. The City Charter gives the Mayor the authority to enforce the law, and I will use that power.

• A Mayoral Task Force for Enforcement – This task force of officers will work to ensure the law is upheld if DAs won’t prosecute quality-of-life offenses. 

• A Dedicated “Broken Windows” Court – I will establish a specialized municipal court to handle these offenses efficiently, ensuring repeat offenders face real consequences.

• No Bail for Dangerous Offenders – If an offender poses a threat to the community, they will not be released under NYC’s misguided bail laws. If Albany won’t fix the problem, NYC will impose our own local bail reform.

If legislators in Albany try to stop me, they can take it to court. I am a damn good litigator, and I will fight for the safety of 

New Yorkers.

New Yorkers deserve real leadership, not more excuses. We can fix this. We will fix this. And we will do it by putting people ahead of politics.

Jim Walden, Candidate for Mayor