Final answer:
Zero-tolerance policing is based on the idea that minor crimes, if not addressed, lead to serious crimes. It leaves little discretion to officers and often leads to increased police encounters, such as the Stop and Frisk policy in NYC.
Step-by-step explanation:
Zero-tolerance policing is a strategy based on the Broken Windows Theory and suggests that not cracking down on small crimes might lead to more significant crimes.
It operates on the belief that by arresting individuals for minor offenses, such as graffiti, petty theft, or failing to pay subway fares, it will prevent them from engaging in more serious criminal activities. This policy mandates that police officers exercise minimal discretion and address every minor infraction.
One of the most publicized implementations of this policy was in New York City under the name Stop and Frisk, resulting in a sharp increase in street stops by the police.
Other factors, such as paying attention to urban decay and improving neighborhood conditions, have also been effective in reducing crime rates without the negative community feedback resulting from aggressive policing strategies.
Additionally, the application of zero-tolerance policies internationally has been met with mixed reactions. In France, for example, after urban violence in the banlieue, the police aggressively enforced zero-tolerance policies, which led to widespread riots and clashes between police and residents.