A study released by the University of Wisconsin PACE Project (Policy Alternatives Community and Education) shows that since the implementation of bans on weekend drink specials in downtown bars, alcohol related crimes have increased.
PACE conducted a study comparing Madison Police Department data on alcohol-related crimes in 2001-02 with data collected after the weekend drink ban, which began in September 2002.
“The results are inconclusive,” Aaron Brower, the project’s principal investigator, said.
The study shows incidents of disorderly conduct rose 35.6 percent Thursday to Saturday in the downtown area after the weekend drink specials were banned. Disorderly conduct consists of fights, aggravated battery and assault. The study also shows downtown vandalism rose 1.2 percent on the weekends after the ban.
Brower said the fact only 19 bars out of the 52 bars in the downtown area participated in the voluntary drink-special ban makes it hard to know what the results could be if more of the bars participated. He said other things potentially skewing the results were that because the drink-special ban was voluntary, some bars may have dropped drink prices altogether or not maintained the ban consistently.
However, despite the results of the study, Brower said PACE will continue to work to reduce negative consequences of drinking. The coalition has recently proposed recommendations to the Alcohol License and Review Committee, among them a call to ban all drink specials, both on weekends and weekdays.
“The ban on weekend drink specials has not had a meaningful impact,” City Council president and PACE committee member Mike Verveer said. He added the organization’s continual focus on the banning of drink specials is harming its relationship with UW students.
Verveer said he is disappointed the coalition has “put all of its eggs in the ‘Policy’ basket.”
Both Brower and Verveer said PACE has made accomplishments in its seven years of existence. Brower noted PACE’s efforts to include “underagers” in more entertainment opportunities downtown. Verveer noted the group’s accomplishments in extending the hours of Memorial Union, the Natatorium and the SERF.
Brower said although the results were not what he had hoped to see, he still believes PACE has improved negative consequences of drinking.
“There is not one single answer,” Brower said. “The tiny impacts we make add up.”
PACE continues to work on other aspects of drinking on campus, such as house parties, and options for those under the age of 21.
Brower also said he met with the Associated Students of Madison Wednesday to discuss plans for Halloween 2004.
While PACE recommended a list of proposals to the ALRC in February, Verveer said based on communication with the City Council he does not foresee the proposals, such as a ban on all drink specials at all times, becoming city legislation in the near future.
