Associations between the density of alcohol outlets and non-violent crime in urban neighborhoods

A growing body of literature has found statistically significant positive associations between the density of alcohol outlets (e.g., bars, liquor stores) and the incidence of crime in small geographic areas such as census blocks or neighborhoods; however, most studies have focused on effects of alcohol outlet density on violent crime. In contrast, we examine associations between alcohol outlet density and five types of non-violent crime: vandalism, nuisance crime, public consumption of alcohol, driving under the influence, and alcohol consumption by minors. Data come from the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2009 and were analyzed at the neighborhood level (n=84 neighborhoods). We conducted geospatial analyses accounting for spatial auto-correlation and controlling for relevant neighborhood demographics (e.g., percent living in poverty; percent unemployed). We analyzed the associations between each crime outcome and total alcohol outlet density, and then analyzed associations between crime outcomes and off-premise outlets (e.g., liquor and convenience stores) versus on-premise outlets (e.g., bars, restaurants) separately. We found a significant positive association between total alcohol outlet density and each crime outcome. The estimated percent increase in crime related to an additional alcohol outlet in a neighborhood ranged from 2.7% to 8.1% across crime outcomes with the strongest associations for public consumption. Similar results were seen for on- and off-premise outlets although the strengths of the associations were lower for off-premise density. Geospatial maps of outlets and each crime outcome will be presented as will implications of all results.