NCJ Number
139341
Date Published
1990
Length
42 pages
Annotation
This study examines the impact of pilot local British bylaws that specify "alcohol-free zones" in certain sections of the city, where alcoholic beverages cannot be consumed and public drunkenness will not be sanctioned; the evaluation of the impact of the bylaws focuses on the city of Coventry.
Abstract
In Coventry, two large surveys of members of the public were conducted before and then 1 year after the introduction of the bylaw. Respondents were visitors to the city center, which was designated as the "alcohol-free zone." Findings indicate that prior to enactment of the bylaw, many of those interviewed were worried about becoming victims of crime and disorder in the city center. After the implementation of the bylaw, the survey showed a modest, but clear reduction in the fear of victimization as measured by various behavioral indicators. This reduction could plausibly be attributed to the effective enforcement of the bylaw. Smaller proportions of the respondents reported they sometimes avoided certain sorts of people or always made it a point to take a companion with them. After the implementation of the bylaw, visitors to central Coventry were less often exposed to incivilities, such as insults by strangers or the sight of public drinkers. The survey also revealed high levels of knowledge about the Coventry bylaw, which was popular locally, both on the eve of its implementation and, more strongly, 1 year later. Interviews conducted with police officers responsible for patrolling central Coventry indicated that enforcement had been achieved without too much difficulty. Both the surveys and police statistics indicate that crime, other than public drunkenness, remained at the same level as before the introduction of the bylaw. Appended supplementary data and police data, 10 tables, and 12 references