Larry Frankel, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, said he'd have to hear a lot more from proponents before he'd support the move. It's not like we have a lot of prison space. People feel safer if cops crack down on disorderly youths hanging on the street corner, according to the theory. But the first time a broken window is not fixed, it signals nobody cares and leads to a cycle of more serious crimes, the criminologists argue. The public can see that police are being aggressive.
Police are able to investigate whether the people they stop have warrants for other crimes.
Police take more weapons off the street because they can frisk suspects once they have been detained. Suspects can be questioned about other crimes. New York's crackdown has been copied by other cities. Philadelphia is one. The court is in session every week, with 10 judges volunteering time.