The Broken Windows Theory, and the Man Who Went Viral Because He Was Addressing It

Have you ever heard of the Broken Windows Theory?

It’s a theory in criminology introduced in 1982 by social scientists James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling. Simply put, the Broken Windows Theory suggests that visible signs of disorder, e.g. actual broken windows, graffiti, litter, etc., encourages further rule-breaking, disruptive behavior, and even more serious crime. 

The idea is that enforcing laws addressing “petty” things and minor issues actually leads to reduced incidences of crime. The metaphor that Wilson and Kelling used is a building with broken windows – symbolizing neglect, broken windows show that rules are not enforced, and negative behaviors are tolerated. 

In the Philippines, we have a lot of “broken windows”. 

The Man Addressing these “Broken Windows”

One recent issue that went viral is the case of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Special Operations Group – Strike Force (SOG-SF) head Gabriel Go. In partnership with a vlogger, Go’s clearing operations are posted on social media. It’s very raw, sometimes in-your-face, and it shows Go and the SOG-SF enforcing their mandate to clear the streets of these “broken windows”. 

I have to admit that I am a fan of Gabriel Go. There’s something relaxing and cathartic in watching him clear the streets and sidewalks of illegally parked vehicles and obstructions. He doesn’t pick sides, and doesn’t give concessions – rich or poor, if you violate the law, you have to face the consequences. 

Go and his team demolish illegal structures that encroach on the sidewalk; confiscating boxes, tables, chairs, and umbrellas that encourage people to illegally use (and block) the sidewalk. Famously, they also tow illegally parked and unattended vehicles. All of this done firmly but always respectfully. They never confiscate the goods and paninda of the vendors – only the makeshift shelves that obstruct the sidewalk. 

That’s why people appreciated his content – it shows the MMDA doing their job. And the results of a clear, obstruction-free sidewalk is very concrete. People walk freely on the sidewalk, and people congratulate him for a job well done. 

Going Viral for Doing His Job

In the issue that went viral, media outlets say that Go “berated” a police captain who was illegally parked in front of the police station. If you look at the vlog, it was pretty much like any other vlog of Go. The clip in question shows Go confronting the said police captain. Go said that he didn’t like the way the police captain reacted to his personnel who were enforcing the no parking on the sidewalk. 

We don’t know the whole picture, or what happened before Go confronted the police captain. But I would say that “berated” is a little too much; Go didn’t back down, but for me, that was his usual style of confronting violators. No nonsense, straightforward, firm, yet respectful.

The whole thing was exacerbated as a certain senator said some things on social media. 

The police captain filed a cyber libel complaint against Go. In response, Go publicly apologized and faced a show cause order by the MMDA. As of this writing, Go is still retained as the head of the SOG-SF, but will undergo a five-day training and coaching on “traffic management, focusing on leadership, courtesy, and discipline and with special attention on stress and anger management.”

Turning Clearing Operations into Content

There’s a lot of layers to unpack, especially the fact that Go used social media, turning his clearing operations into content. Maybe this wouldn’t have blown up the way it did if Go did not allow the vlogger to cover his clearing operations and post it on social media. 

I understand the complaints that Go was using the Clearing Operations as content, even if it was a vlogger and not him who posts the videos (and earns from it). But his point is, he wants to use social media to educate people about traffic rules and policies. It’s very well-meaning. 

The whole ethics of it can be debated, but one thing is for sure – the “broken windows” that Gabriel Go was addressing were well within his mandate. It was the right thing to do. And it is very satisfying to see.

Since the issue, there hasn’t been any new clearing videos from the vlogger who posts about Gabriel Go. Even if we don’t get to see it online anymore, I hope Go and the MMDA continue addressing these “broken windows”.

Clear the sidewalks – remove those huge ugly plant boxes, motorcycles, bicycles, tricycles, vendors’ carts, clotheslines, makeshift road signs, untidy electric/cable/telephone posts, etc. Addressing these goes a long way to improving our cities and towns.