Statecraft Podcast Summary: "How to Fix Crime in New York City"
Host: Santi Ruiz
Guest: Peter Moskos
Release Date: April 3, 2025
Book Discussed: Back from the Brink, Inside the NYPD and New York City's Extraordinary 1990s Crime Drop by Peter Moskos
1. Introduction
Santi Ruiz welcomes Peter Moskos to the podcast, highlighting his unique background as a criminologist with hands-on experience in the Baltimore Police Department, which he utilized while writing his acclaimed book, Cop in the Hood.
"I would not be where I am today if I didn't have that experience."
— Peter Moskos [00:43]
2. Peter Moskos’ Background
Peter Moskos discusses his unconventional path in criminology, emphasizing his practical fieldwork over theoretical approaches. His tenure with the Baltimore Police Department provided invaluable insights that shaped his academic and professional trajectory.
"I banked my career on those 20 months in the police department."
— Peter Moskos [00:43]
3. The State of NYC Crime in the 70s and 80s
Moskos paints a grim picture of New York City in the 1970s and 1980s, marked by soaring crime rates, financial instability, and strained police-community relations. The city nearly went bankrupt in 1975, leading to massive layoffs within the NYPD and a subsequent decline in morale.
"Crime in New York was a big problem from the late '60s up to the mid '90s."
— Peter Moskos [05:17]
He highlights staggering statistics, such as over 100,000 reported robberies in 1980 and 1981, and an 85% reduction in these numbers by the early 1990s.
"There were above 100,000 in 1981 and 1990. And then last year there were 16,600, which isn't a huge increase, by the way, from a few years ago."
— Peter Moskos [05:26]
4. Policy Initiatives and Changes
a. Mayor David Dinkins and Community Policing
During the mid-1980s, under Mayor David Dinkins, New York City implemented a community policing strategy aimed at improving relations between the NYPD and marginalized communities. However, this approach led to an increase in arrests without a corresponding decrease in crime, primarily due to inefficient procedures that overwhelmed officers with paperwork.
"Arrests in the 1980s increased more with community policing than arrests in the 1990s did with broken windows policing."
— Peter Moskos [15:00]
b. Transition to Rudy Giuliani and Hiring Bill Bratton
In 1993, Rudy Giuliani narrowly defeated Dinkins, campaigning heavily on reducing crime and disorder. Upon taking office, Giuliani appointed Bill Bratton as NYPD Commissioner, who introduced the CompStat framework and adopted the Broken Windows theory championed by George Kelling.
"Bratton was very concerned that these numbers have to be right."
— Peter Moskos [35:49]
c. The CompStat Model and Jack Maple’s Role
CompStat was not just a data-tracking system but a rigorous accountability mechanism involving weekly meetings where precinct heads reported on crime statistics and strategies. Jack Maple, a pivotal figure in CompStat, emphasized the importance of accurate data collection and relentless follow-up, fostering an environment of high accountability and proactive policing.
"CompStat was a glorified accountability system at a time when nobody knew anything about computers."
— Peter Moskos [40:58]
d. Specific Initiatives: Cleaning Up Key Areas
Moskos details targeted cleanups in hotspots like the Port Authority Bus Terminal, Bryant Park, and Times Square. These initiatives combined policing with environmental design and social services, effectively reclaiming public spaces and reducing crime through strategic presence and enforcement.
"Operation Alternatives at Port Authority... they gave him almost unlimited money and power and said, fix it, please."
— Peter Moskos [46:16]
5. The 1990s Crime Drop
The book elucidates the multifaceted strategies that led to the dramatic reduction in crime during the 1990s. Key factors included:
- Enhanced Policing Techniques: Introduction of CompStat and Broken Windows policing.
- Focused Arrests: Targeting a small percentage of individuals responsible for the majority of crimes.
- Environmental Design: Revitalizing public spaces to deter criminal activity.
- Data-Driven Accountability: Regular analysis and adaptation of strategies based on crime data.
"Back from the Brink focuses on the police part of the equation, whatever that is."
— Peter Moskos [43:25]
6. Lessons for Today
Moskos draws parallels between the 1990s strategies and current challenges, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between behavior and underlying issues like homelessness and mental illness. He advocates for focusing on behavior that affects public safety while acknowledging the need for improved mental health support systems.
"We're focusing on behavior that we are trying to change... It's amazing how much people will comply with those rules."
— Peter Moskos [52:20]
7. Personal Anecdotes
Towards the end of the interview, Moskos shares a personal experience of being attacked on a subway platform. This incident underscores the real and present dangers as well as the ongoing need for effective policing strategies.
"He's probably the most important character in Back from the Brink."
— Peter Moskos [55:29]
8. Conclusion and Recommendations
Santi Ruiz concludes the episode by highly recommending Peter Moskos' books, Back from the Brink and Cop in the Hood, for their in-depth exploration of policing strategies and their practical applications.
"If you like Statecraft and you like the series, you will really love Peter's books."
— Santi Ruiz [56:07]
Notable Quotes
-
"I'm maybe just a historian buff... but it's an essential part of the story."
— Peter Moskos [03:58] -
"Perception is reality for a lot of these things because most people aren't victimized by crime."
— Peter Moskos [30:03] -
"We can't police our way out of every problem. But if you define the problem as, we don't want people at intersections with squeegees, of course we can police our way out of the problem."
— Peter Moskos [31:04]
Key Takeaways
- Hands-On Policing: Peter Moskos’ practical experience provides a grounded perspective on effective policing strategies.
- CompStat and Broken Windows: These frameworks were instrumental in the 1990s crime drop, emphasizing data-driven accountability and proactive policing.
- Targeted Interventions: Focused efforts on specific hotspots and problematic behaviors can lead to significant reductions in crime.
- Perception vs. Reality: Public perception of safety is as crucial as actual crime statistics in shaping effective policing policies.
- Current Challenges: Addressing behavior-related issues remains vital, alongside improving support systems for mental health and homelessness.
For those interested in understanding the intricacies of policing and crime reduction, Peter Moskos’ insights offer a comprehensive analysis of what worked in New York City during a pivotal era and how those lessons can be applied today.