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LAW ENFORCEMENT SEMINAR TEACHES HOLISTIC APPROACH TO COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT

Litter Control is Center of Broken Windows Theory

Columbia, SC – PalmettoPride, your anti-litter organization, hosted a Broken Windows Theory training seminar today. The four-hour training session focused on litter law and code enforcement as a way to improve overall community health and reduce higher crime.  Law enforcement officers from local police departments to state agencies attended the training session to hear about new techniques to tackle litter and improve crime.

Lt. Chris Cowan of Richland County Sheriff's Department (RCSD) once again led the seminar.  Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott is one of the leaders in the state, in large part because of his belief and use of the Broken Windows Theory.   Sheriff Leon Lott implemented the Drug Suppression Team, Gang Task force, Code Enforcement and Community Action Team in Richland County using the premise of the Broken Window Theory and by getting citizens involved – these units and citizens helped to reduce crime and code violations such as litter and graffiti that lead to higher crimes and gang activity.    Cowan is an experienced presenter on the subject having given presentations for state and national enforcement associations and community improvement organizations. 

The Broken Windows Theory is a holistic approach to law enforcement focusing on quality of life issues like litter, vandalism and graffiti to help lower high crime rates by making communities safer, cleaner and more involved.  Many South Carolina law enforcement groups use the Broken Window Theory to address litter in their communities, yielding an average 30% drop in overall criminal activity.

Developed in 1982 by criminologist Dr. George Kelling and political scientist James Wilson in The Atlantic Monthly, the Broken Windows Theory is based on the notion that signs of neighborhood disorder can lead to disorder and lawlessness.

PalmettoPride works with South Carolina Litter Control Association to provide grants and training for officers.  As part of the PalmettoPride Enforcement Grant, all grant recipients must attend a Broken Windows Theory training session.

For more information, please contact Sherryl Jenkins at 803-758-6034.

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