Poll: More Than Half of New Yorkers Support “Broken Windows” Police Tactic

Fifty-six percent of New York City residents support the crackdown on low-level offenses

Police Commissioner Bill Bratton says he's "gratified" by a recent poll that found 56 percent of New York City residents support the crackdown on low-level offenses in an effort to prevent more violent crimes.

Thirty-five percent of respondents in the Quinnipiac poll also said the so-called "Broken Windows" tactic contributes to neighborhood tensions.

Bratton says the key is to "do it in a way that is both lawful and respectful."

Seventy-four percent say police brutality is a "very serious" or "somewhat serious" problem. That's the highest number since May 2001.

Sixty-eight percent say there is "no excuse" for police actions during the custody death of Eric Garner, the 43-year-old Staten Island father who died after being put in a police chokehold last month.

Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,021 voters by phone last week.

The margin of error is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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