Seedy Business: An Empirical Test of Alcohol Outlet Density Theory

• In Event: Crime and Place

Abstract

This research uses two bodies of literature which focus on the structural conditions of crime and delinquency. First, routine activities theory (Cohen and Felson 1979) and the broader opportunity framework (Wilcox et al. 2012), inform the research by explaining how structural routines provide times and spaces conducive to becoming a criminal or victim. Second, alcohol outlet density has recently been used by criminologists to understand the relationship between crime and alcohol. Research finds the presence of liquor stores (Parker et al. 2011) and check cashing establishments (Kubrin et al. 2011) are positively correlated with violent crime. Using data from 1996-2010, we examined violent crime patterns in the 99 largest cities in the United States. Expanding the literature on alcohol outlet density, we measure the prevalence of gun stores, night clubs, bars, restaurants (with bars), adult book stores, adult video stores, tattoo shops, liquor stores and regress them across rates of violence. Our initial findings indicate that the presence of a variety different businesses are associated with an increase in rates of violence. These findings challenge the literature on alcohol outlet density by providing support for routine activities theory.

Authors

• David C. Lane, University of South Dakota

• Kirk R. Williams, University of Delaware