An Interesting Approach to Quality of Life

Many of you learned about Broken Windows Theory and how New York City applied the general principles by going after those who broke minor laws with the idea that little crimes lead to bigger crimes.
Whether or not this was the primary reason, it is a fact that crime in New York City started its downward slide at about the same time. New York then instituted a number of other changes and today has become a relatively safe city.

England has started issuing Antisocial Behaviour Orders. Recent cases included brothers aged 10 and 12 banned from swearing, making rude gestures, damaging property, starting fires and throwing missiles.

A 79-year-old woman was also served with an order for harassing her neighbours.

Home Office minister Hazel Blears is quoted on her belief in the efficacy of these Orders.

While it was "no wonder" some people would breach Asbo conditions, the most important thing was that, if this happened, they were returned to court and action taken against them, she said.

She added: "50% of orders are not breached. That means in 50% of those cases people are now behaving properly and the kind of misery they've been causing has actually stopped."

This was reported in the BBC news. The title of this particular blog is hyperlinked to the article, but I do not know how long the link will last.

It is an interesting concept, however.