Date of Award

2-1-2002

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

First Advisor

Dr. Dennis W. Roncek

Abstract

Research on the effects of liquor and liquor-serving establishments as they relate to crime is substantial, although conclusions on the type or size of effects have recently varied considerably. This research attempts to distinguish between particular types of liquor-serving establishments and isolate their effects on felonious assaults, with particular attention to the effects of bars or taverns as separate from both offsite liquor-selling establishments and other onsite establishments such as restaurants. Additionally, this research attempts to determine if dispersion or diffusion effects exist for bars. Findings show that there is a marked difference among the effects of the three types of liquor-serving establishments, indicating the importance of distinguishing type of establishment. They reveal a statistically significant effect for felonious assaults for both bars and for offsite establishments, with no significant effect for “other onsite” establishments such as restaurants or sports arenas. Results of this study also show a dispersion effect for bars on felonious assaults within a one-block area. Thus, blocks that were adjacent to blocks with at least one bar were significantly more likely to have had an assault occur on them.

Comments

A Thesis Presented to the College of Public Affairs and Community Service and the Faculty of the Graduate College University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts University of Nebraska at Omaha. Copyright Rebecca K. Murray February, 2002.

COinS