AdvertisementHow A Theory Of Crime And Policing Was Born, And Went Terribly WrongMay 29, 2017Tara BoyleJennifer SchmidtRhaina CohenShankar VedantamMaggie PenmanRenee KlahrfacebookEmailThe "broken windows" theory of policing suggested that cleaning up the visible signs of disorder — like graffiti, loitering, panhandling and prostitution — would prevent more serious crime. (Getty Images)