The “broken window theory” puts strong emphasis on the link between disorder and crime. Former New York City Police Commissioner, William Bratton, under former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, implemented this theory that was first put forth in a 1982 Atlantic article written by James Q Wilson, a political scientist from Harvard University at the time, and George L Kelling, a criminologist. This theory suggests that a disorderly environment sends a message that no one is in charge, thus increasing fear, weakening community controls, and inviting criminal behaviour. It also maintains that stopping minor offences and restoring greater order can prevent serious crime. This theory promotes that through action against decay, communities will take pride in their environment.

Article and photos by Marié Meyer

The Western Cape Department of Community Safety and the SAPS place a strong focus on drug and gang-related crimes in the Western Cape, and has as a result launched various intervention programmes. One of these stories has been unfolding in Atlantis near Melkbosstrand - a town that screams an antithesis of two worlds to the visitor: decay and growth. But it is also a place where many of the young children find delight in the small things that add value to their lives.

Preventative programmes
This sleepy town called for attention when two alleged gang members were killed during April 2010.  A similar tragedy took place almost a year ago in the same room.  Two suspects were arrested in the second shooting incident.  This prompted the close monitoring of gang-related violence in the area and led to a strong emphasis being placed on preventative programmes.

Unfortunately some of those innocent faces who find pleasure in the small things, turn into teenage criminals when gangsterism takes control of their lives.  A provincial anti-gangsterism programme involved 40 boys at risk who underwent a skills programme over the past 8 months.  The programme proved to be a huge success where some of the youngsters act as role models for the community.  Topics include conflict management and parental skills training.  An urgent need for youth safety led to the establishment of such a programme at the Dura Youth Centre in Atlantis.

In an attempt to bring a continuous difference in the community, a graffiti removal project was launched on 28 April 2010 at the centre as part of the ongoing programme. Twelve blocks of flats in the Dura Flats Complex received the cleansing hands of ten youngsters from the Atlantis Gang Prevention and Youth Safety Programme as the walls were repainted and all graffiti removed.  The MEC for Community Safety in the Western Cape, Adv Lennit Max, emphasised: “Increased cooperation between role-players is crucial in addressing gang violence.”
Capt Dicks from Atlantis SAPS echoed his words and stressed the importance of a positive attitude towards the upliftment programme to give Atlantis a facelift.

In his keynote address Adv Max compared the crime wave in Atlantis to a river that runs into the sea, which needs to be stopped. He made the following clear:
•    The expression of emotions through graffiti poses a dangerous threat when the community accepts it as part of their environment.  This indicates an acceptance of crime.
•    Atlantis needs to involve the youth in the process of taking back the town “street by street”.  A mindset-change needs to happen and the community should see to it that the graffiti does not return.
•    The only contribution of graffiti is deterioration (instead of upliftment) of the environment, which leads to other crimes.
•    As an example to the general attitude of “we don’t care” from the local youth, the Department of Community Safety clearly states that they “do care and try to make a difference”.
•    He urged the youth to make the right choices (often not the easy ones ...) and to take responsibility because the police cannot always be their “watchdog”. He stressed the importance of respect for human lives and law and order. “You can’t change your friends if you can’t change you,” he said.

The launch was attended by various local authorities as well as inquisitive bystanders from the community.  Atlantis’ youngsters have to set a responsible example to other communities in the Western Cape, but for this bear fruit, a serious mindset-change needs to happen to create a positive future.  As Adv Max said: “If we disregard one broken window ... we soon disregard and disrespect all ...”

Sources:
Johnson, C Y. 2009. “Breakthrough on ‘broken windows’.”
The Boston Globe. 8 February. - accessed on
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/02/08/breakthrough_on_broken_windows/ - on 25 May 2010.