CHARLES O. OCHIE SR.: Neighborhoods deserve say in liquor store location

There are places in neighborhoods criminologists call the “criminogenic places” or “hot spots.” These places often have poor lighting, transit stops, abandoned buildings, nightclubs and, yes, liquor outlets. Liquor stores are a common sight in many distressed, low socioeconomic status (SES) neighborhoods.

The location of liquor stores in neighborhoods, whether high or low SES, is always controversial. This is because residents of these neighborhoods believe that the presence of liquor stores breeds crime, violence and neighborhood decay. The residents’ concerns are supported by studies that have revealed a mass of evidence showing the connection — in terms of both proximity and concentration between liquor stores and crimes like murder, rape and assaults.

These concerns were recently expressed by the residents of Albany in the Albany Herald of Feb. 13, 2019. The residents were protesting against a decision to locate another liquor store in their neighborhood. These residents based their protest on what is already known — that the presence of liquor stores breeds crime, violence and neighborhood decay.

Researchers have looked into the correlation between crime and the presence of liquor stores. However, seldom have those researchers examined activities that occur next to liquor stores prior to criminal activity to understand the connection between crime and the presence of the stores. Nevertheless, studies that have examined these issues have confirmed the negative effects liquor stores strike in neighborhoods, whether they are poor or rich.

Researchers have found that liquor stores attract violent crimes the way honey attracts flies. In a national study conducted in 91 larger U.S cities, researchers found that a higher concentration of booze businesses was significantly linked to higher rates of homicides. Access to alcohol was right up there with poverty, drugs, guns and gangs.

In another study that took into account other factors known to contribute to youth homicide rates, such as poverty, drugs, availability of guns and gangs, researchers found that higher density of liquor stores provides easy access to alcoholic beverages, contributing significantly to higher homicides rates. The study also found that the most dangerous type of liquor store is one that offers to cash a check for a fee and then sells the check casher, say, a pint of Thunderbird.

Yet another interesting study conducted at Johns Hopkins University, which looked at liquor stores, bars and wine stores, found that outlets that sell alcohol for off-premises consumption have a stronger association with incidences of violent crimes compared to outlets where alcohol is bought and consumed on-site, such as bars and restaurants.

So, the question is, does the presence of liquor stores actually cause crime, violence and urban decay, or are liquor stores more likely to open in economic declining neighborhood? Available research seems to point to the notion that the presence of liquor stores breeds crime and violence. But more research is needed to establish whether liquor stores are more likely to open in declining neighborhood. However, we can answer that question by counting the number of liquor stores located in different locations of this city/county.

When liquor stores are located in high SES neighborhoods, they are usually located in well-known roads, commercial spots/centers and consequently have small effects on property crimes. In low SES neighborhoods, residents may have close proximity or direct contact/easy access. In fact, one study found that liquor outlets located in high SES neighborhoods are valued by homeowners, whereas liquor outlets located in low SES areas are seen as contributors to crime, violence and neighborhood decay.

Developers who propose locating liquor stores in low SES neighborhoods usually claim that they are bringing economic and employment opportunities to the area. Perhaps, but that claim begs the question as to who is to determine what a community/neighbored wants with respect to economic development? How much positive economic activity does a liquor store bring to a community? How many people do these liquor stores usually hire that would offset the negative effects their businesses bring?

With the recent case in Albany, the residents rejected a liquor stores in their neighborhood. Rather, what they wanted and called for are grocery stores. It is noted that groceries stores are conspicuously unavailable in that section of town.

These people are not against bringing economic development and employment opportunities to their neighborhood. Rather, they do not want businesses that would cause more crime, violence and neighborhood decay with consequent devaluation of their properties.

The question then becomes should economic developers and policymakers listen to neighborhood residents and take their concerns into account when making economic decisions about where to locate certain business? And shouldn’t liquor stores be located where people who really want it have to make a trip to get it, as it is done in high SES neighborhoods, versus locating it so close as in low SES neighborhoods where residents just walk into the liquor stores?

Research suggests that neighborhood/community interests should dictate local development policy and the potential negative or positive effects of any business being considered must be carefully weighed before final decisions are made. Communities always know what they want and need in their neighborhoods, and they should be heard.

Charles O. Ochie Sr. is the director of Graduate School at Albany State University, a professor of Criminal Justice and former chairman of the Department of Criminal Justice.