The importance of New York City, with NYPD as a key partner, in reducing crime and improving quality of life is well known on both sides of the Atlantic. That does not mean the methods used by NYC & NYPD are understood.

Today I found a Labour Peer's blogsite pointing at the work of a University of Berkeley criminology professor, Franklin Zimring; which might impact the Metropolitan Police's Commissioner's policies:http://www.lordtobyharris.org.uk/wil...g-in-new-york/

Here are the links to:

a) Vera Institute podcast (9mins):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXZgSnKfN5U
b) Scientific American interview (30 mins): http://www.scientificamerican.com/po...t-new-11-08-09
c) Website article:http://www.thecrimereport.org/news/i...w-york-miracle
d) Professor's book:http://www.amazon.com/City-that-Beca.../dp/0199844429

In this discovery LAPD is mentioned in this article, which is more about police reform:http://www.thecrimereport.org/news/a...-from-the-cold

Undoubtedly the professor has his critics, as does NYPD, but this maybe of interest to SWC readers.