[hyperman1]

AFAIK the theory says littering does have an effect on bank robbery: If people see litter, you instill a mentality where caring for the neighbourhood is worthless. From that 'each for his' , 'dog eat dog' world view, the step to big crimes is smaller.

Now I have no idea if the theory is correct.

[webmaven]

> AFAIK the theory says littering does have an effect on bank robbery: If people see litter, you instill a mentality where caring for the neighbourhood is worthless. From that 'each for his' , 'dog eat dog' world view, the step to big crimes is smaller.

> Now I have no idea if the theory is correct.

The theory is correct, but the effect is smaller than proponents supposed (and seems to affect minor property crime more than violence). The poster child for the theory is the reduction in crime in NYC, but more recent analysis has shown that a larger driver was the elimination of lead from gasoline and paint.