Final answer:
Police tactics, such as community-oriented policing and intensive foot patrols, can be effective in reducing crime, particularly when they are targeted and build community trust. The theory of social disorganization also illustrates how neighborhood stability and cohesion can predict crime rates. Moreover, improvements in environmental design and fostering community cleanliness have been associated with reduced crime.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject in question revolves around the effectiveness of various police tactics in reducing crime. One significant finding is that although generalized increases in policing personnel do not always yield better results, highly targeted efforts, like intensive foot patrols in crime hotspots and building community ties through community-oriented policing, can be quite effective. Furthermore, environmental and social interventions, such as addressing visual blight, can lead to reductions in crime rates without adverse community relations, especially with residents of color who might be disproportionately affected by policies like Stop and Frisk.
Another contributing factor to crime rates is the theory of social disorganization, which suggests that neighborhood characteristics such as poverty levels, ethnic diversity, and residential mobility might predict higher crime rates. Strategies for reducing crime based on community participation and environmental design, such as the maintenance of clean neighborhoods have also been associated with positive outcomes including higher property values, happier residents, and, importantly, less crime.
In summary, while certain policing strategies have been found to be effective, the role of environmental improvements, community engagement, and social interventions cannot be overlooked as essential elements of a comprehensive approach to crime prevention.