George L. Kelling

George L. Kelling was an American criminologist and policy advisor best known as co-author of the Broken Windows Theory, one of the most influential—and controversial—ideas in modern policing. He held academic positions at institutions such as Rutgers University and the Manhattan Institute and was a key figure in the development of order maintenance policing and zero tolerance strategies in urban contexts, especially in New York City.

Kelling rose to prominence with the 1982 article Broken Windows: The Police and Neighborhood Safety, co-authored with James Q. Wilson. The Broken Windows Theory posits that visible signs of disorder—such as graffiti, loitering, or vandalism—if left unaddressed, signal a lack of informal social control and invite more serious crime. This theory sparked a shift in policing strategies toward order maintenance, focusing on minor infractions to prevent more serious offenses. Kelling argued that policing should be proactive, community-oriented, and rooted in the restoration of public order. While the theory influenced policies like CompStat and zero tolerance policing, it also drew criticism for contributing to over-policing, especially in marginalized communities.