The surprising and unofficial system of social control and
regulation that keeps crime rates low in New York City's Washington
Square Park Located in New York City's Greenwich Village,
Washington Square Park is a 9.75-acre public park that is perhaps
best known for its historic Washington Square Arch, a landmark at
the foot of 5th Avenue. Hundreds, if not thousands, pass through
the park every day, some sit on benches enjoying the sunshine, play
a game of chess, watch their children play in the playground, take
their dog to the dog runs, or sit by the fountain or, sometimes,
buy or sell drugs. The park has an extremely low crime rate.
Sociologist, and local resident, Erich Goode wants to know why. He
notes that many visitors do violate park rules and ordinances, even
engaging in misdemeanors like cigarette and marijuana smoking,
alcohol consumption, public urination, skateboarding and bike
riding. And yet, he argues, contrary to the well-known "broken
windows" theory, which suggests that small crimes left unchecked
lead to major crimes, serious crimes hardly ever take place there.
Why with such an immense volume of infractions-and people-are there
so little felonious or serious, and virtually no violent, crime?
With rich and detailed observations as well as in-depth interviews,
Goode demonstrates how onlookers, bystanders, and witnesses-both
denizens and your average casual park visitor-provide an effective
system of social control, keeping more serious wrongdoing in check.
Goode also profiles the parks visitors, showing us that the park is
a major draw to residents and tourists alike. Visitors come from
all over; only a quarter of the park's visitors live in the
neighborhood (the Village and SoHo), one out of ten are tourists,
and one out of six are from upper Manhattan or the Bronx. Goode
looks at the patterns of who visits the park, when they come, and,
once in the park, where they go. Regardless of where they live,
Goode argues, all of the Park's visitors help keep the park safe
and lively. The Taming of New York's Washington Square is an
engaging and entertaining look at a surprisingly safe space in the
heart of Manhattan.
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