Final answer:
Zero-tolerance policing is a strict law enforcement approach focusing on small crimes to prevent larger ones, often associated with the controversial 'Stop and Frisk' policy and claims of racial profiling.
Step-by-step explanation:
Zero-tolerance policing doesn't have five specific steps universally recognized, but is characterized by strict enforcement of minor crimes to prevent more serious crimes.
Zero-tolerance policing is a strategy that aims to reduce crime by strictly enforcing laws on minor offenses. This approach evolved from the principles of the Broken Windows Theory and was heavily applied in the 1990s, notably in New York City with the 'Stop and Frisk' policy. The steps in the zero-tolerance approach typically involve the identification of disorder, strict enforcement of laws regardless of the severity of the crime, increased police presence, minimal officer discretion in pursuing offenses, and aggressive patrol techniques.
This method is often associated with controversial outcomes, such as claims of racial profiling and a disproportionate impact on communities of color. While some attribute a decrease in crime rates to these policies, others note similar crime reductions in areas without zero-tolerance policing. Furthermore, addressing urban decay and visual blight without aggressive policing has been shown to have a positive effect on crime reduction.