Police Custody Death Tests 'Broken Windows' Tactic

NEW YORK — Eric Garner, who died in police custody last week after he was put in an apparent chokehold, was suspected of committing the relatively minor crime of selling loose, untaxed cigarettes on the street.

The encounter was an unintended consequence of the New York Police Department's embrace of the policing tactic called "Broken Windows" — the idea that going after smaller crimes such as public drinking or graffiti helps stop greater disorder such as assault and murder

More at link: [link to abcnews.go.com]