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Applying the Broken Windows Theory to Code Enforcement in Urban Communities
positive results. However, cleaning up a neighborhood that has not improved
its socio-economics may not necessarily lead to an environment where code

enforcement staffing levels or attention may be reduced without the risks of
recurrence of code violations over time. In fact, if priorities have to shift or

resources are reduced and a neighborhood is left unattended, without other controls D
or incentives in place, code violations will most likely start to increase until more E
attention is given again. The cause for this is simple as the core of any group, C

neighborhood, or community is made up of people. The environment or landscape E
is believed to communicate messages to people as human behavior and various P

other factors have to be taken into consideration in addition to the built environment T
to achieve the desired results and maintain them. I

O
Applying the Theory to Code Enforcement
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At the core of the theory of broken windows is the effort required to address social

disorder. The main premise of the theory is that minor crimes can lead to more
serious crimes if left unaddressed. However, the minor crimes that are addressed

are those that are considered to be inclusive of disorderly conduct. The regulations,
codes, and laws that are put into place by governments, help create the environment
of norms that we live by. The typical homeowner association deed-restrictions or

rules are examples of a close level of control and order that is put into place in a
community by the community members that are designed to establish and provide

a safe, well-maintained environment for its residents. While these rules often may
be viewed at as extremely strict or limiting on personal freedoms at the home, they
do serve as the norms for persons in the community in which they live that creates

and informal bond shared by everyone. A simple requirement that every property
owner pays monthly dues that includes standard alarm monitoring for each home or

requiring a gate card access in order to enter the neighborhood provides an added
level of safety that everyone can participate in which deters criminals from targeting
homes in that community. When it comes to code enforcement, a simple regulation

that limits what residents may store on the exteriors of their homes, may create a
safer and more orderly environment that can provide peace of mind to residents in

an area susceptible to environmental conditions involving high winds, tornadoes,
or storms by reducing airborne projectiles that can cause damage to property or
even loss of life. When it comes to urban communities that are dealing with higher

incidents of criminal activity or public nuisances and behaviors, applying the

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