Policies and Theories
Veronica Vega: American Intercontinental University

Abstract
There are many theories that influenced many of the policies that we have today. Such as the Graffiti reduction program which has been influences by the argument of windows theory. Then there is the Neighborhood watch program which shows how the social disorganization theory has been influential to the program. Finally we have the Midnight Basketball program who is connected by the differential association theory. Below, all these theories and policies will be defined and there will be a better understanding on how all of these policies assisted the from decreasing violence around the community.

Graffiti reduction programs include interventions that are employed on simple scales such as use of anti-graffiti paints to extensive multi-stakeholder programs. This multibillion dollar program is part of the crime prevention strategies targeting youths. The policy works on the belief that graffiti can cause social disorder as people associate the street art with presence of criminals and gangs in their neighborhoods. Stakeholders work together to eliminate existing graffiti as well as identifying perpetrators.
The implementation of graffiti reduction programs have been influenced by arguments of windows theory. According to this theory, simple crimes, such as street violence, are harbingers of more serious disorders (Aiyer, Zimmerman, Morrel-Samuels, & Reischl, 2014). Although disorder is not a crime, the theory argues that its presence increases fear forcing many residents to move out. This creates optimal conditions for more serious crime as the informal social control decreases. There is then a need for disrupting the process to promote informal social controls to empower citizens to prevent occurrence of serious