Book Review: St. Jean, P. K. B. (2007). Pockets of Crime: Broken Windows, Collective Efficacy and the Criminal Point of View. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. 278 pp

• Author: Joshua C. Hinkle
• DOI: 10.1177/0734016808325620
• Published date: 01 June 2009
• Date: 01 June 2009
• Subject Matter: Articles

Book Reviews 263

very compelling and logical explanation. It is obvious that Pearson-Nelson has an intimate

familiarity with criminological theories, and this is just one of the many instances through-

out the book when he uses classic literature to support his findings.

Another very appealing aspect of this book is that the author very carefully develops

multiple hypotheses and then systematically attempts to test each of these assertions. On

this level, the book is very satisfying because it is a textbook example of how criminal

justice researchers can utilize a rigorous scientific approach to answer some of society’s

most complex problems. It is evident that the author truly seeks to further our understand-

ing of the homicide epidemic that occurred between the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Although I found this to be one of the book’s primary strengths, it is quite possible that

some scholars may find this to be overwhelming and/or distracting. It is true that the author

states his hypotheses and findings more than once, and at some points it does read more

like a doctoral dissertation than a book. However, the book is certainly worth reading and

provides extraordinary insights into a subject where very little has been written.

I would encourage anyone who is interested in homicide to examine this book. It is the

first of its kind to offer a scholarly examination of the relatively recent homicide epidemic.

Besides providing insights into this phenomenon, this book could also be beneficial to

doctoral students, especially those who are ABD. It is a fine example of how research

should be conducted and certainly has many, if not all, of the qualities of a very well-written

dissertation. For all of the above reasons, I strongly recommend this book.

Robert M. Worley

Penn State Altoona

St. Jean, P. K. B. (2007). Pockets of Crime: Broken Windows, Collective Efficacy and the

Criminal Point of View. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. 278 pp.

DOI: 10.1177/0734016808325620

In Pockets of Crime, St. Jean does something that is sorely lacking in the field of

criminol ogy—he uses ethnography to test whether our theories actually make sense in

practical application. His study begins with the observation that even in the worst areas of

a city only a few blocks are plagued by crime problems. St. Jean puts two contemporary

theories to the test by examining whether the broken windows thesis or collective efficacy

theory can explain why some blocks have higher crime rates.

The study is based on 5 years of work in a beat within one of the highest crime police

districts in Chicago. Using a variety of qualitative and quantitative data, St. Jean’s goal was

to find out why offenders choose certain blocks for their activities. In answering this ques-

tion, he also sought to shed light on the ongoing debate between supporters of the broken

windows thesis and those who turn to collective efficacy to explain crime rates.

The broken windows thesis argues that untended disorder leads to crime through

increased fear and resident withdrawal. In turn, offenders take signs of untended disorder

as a signal that no one cares about the community and that they can commit crimes with