NCJ Number
171359
Date Published
1995
Length
27 pages
Annotation
Recognizing a significant body of scientific evidence that links alcohol availability and consumption to community disorder, violent crime, and other major social problems, this report examines the liquor-disorder-crime nexus in Wisconsin.
Abstract
Part one of the report summarizes scientific evidence on the relationship between alcohol and crime. Part two of the report discusses alcohol control laws in Wisconsin and documents the spatial concentration of liquor outlets in Milwaukee's poor, minority, high-crime neighborhoods. Part three of the report offers ideas on and proposals for restricting the availability and consumption of alcohol in Milwaukee. The idea of the "broken window" is used to explain problems associated with the concentration of liquor outlets in distressed urban neighborhoods. The report indicates Wisconsin has a loose alcohol control regime that permits liquor outlets to be concentrated in Milwaukee's inner-city neighborhoods. The concentration of liquor outlets in these places is almost certain a major factor in their social demise and high rates of criminal victimization. Five recommendations are offered: conduct research on the relationship between alcohol outlet densities and crime, impose stricter zoning ordinances for liquor stores, limit alcohol beverage advertising, launch a neighborhood-level demonstration research project to test the effects of policies that restrict alcohol availability against the effects of policies that prohibit all alcohol sales, and do not lower the legal drinking age. 70 notes, 3 tables, and 2 figures