A data analysis found no link between enforcement of low-level quality-of-life crimes and the felony crime rate, the office charged with overseeing New York City Police Department said Wednesday.
The report took pains to make clear it was not commenting on the NYPD’s overall “broken windows” policing approach, but critics of the policy said the findings were proof that going after low-level crimes as a way of deterring larger ones doesn’t work. The department called the report flawed.