THE DECISION by MBTA police not to cite fare evaders sends a wrong and dangerous message ("T police stop citing riders who evade fares," Page A1, May 24). I reference here the "broken windows" model of policing, first proffered by James Wilson and George Kelling. It states, in short, that a zero tolerance policy on so-called minor offenses sends a strong signal that more serious acts of lawbreaking will not be tolerated.
We need look no further than the New York City subway system, where in the mid-1990s a crackdown on fare beating and graffiti led to a significant drop in more serious crimes. As safety improved, so did ridership.
Not long ago, gate jumping was rather common on the T. Those who were brazen enough to make eye contact with a fare evader often were subjected to an intimidating glare or a string of profanity.
Thus began a perception of lawlessness concerning the subway. Why walk into that kind of atmosphere when one can just climb into one's car instead?
Aren't we trying to increase ridership?
If the transit police think that they are freeing themselves to work on serious offenses by allowing minor infractions to become commonplace, their strategy will backfire. They'll need that extra time, though, because groping, pickpocketing, and assaults will be on the rise.
PAUL OHMER
South Boston
