Assaults in and Around Bars
The Problem:
The proliferation of bars in many communities has lead to increases in assaults in and around bars. While many, if not most, of these are alcohol-related, assaults also occur when neither the aggressors nor the victims have been drinking. Research surveys have shown that most assaults occur on weekend nights. Surveys as also shown, that the majority of assaults occur at a relatively small number of places. Not all assaults involve a simple fistfight with a clear beginning and ending; instead, the incidents are often more ambiguous and complicated.
Related Problems:
There are many problems that relate to the problem of assaults. Bars and night clubs have been a place of interest for assaults to occur. Related problems require their own analyses and responses. Some related problems include:
- gambling in bars;
- underage drinking;
- prostitution in bars;
- drug dealing in bars;
- binge drinking on college campuses;
- sexual assaults in and around bars;
- illegal discrimination against bar patrons;
- drunken driving by customers leaving bars;
- assaults around bars motivated by racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, or other bias; and
- disorderly conduct of public inebriates who drink in bars.
* Related problems can vary by location and area.
Contributing Factors:
Understanding the factors that contribute to Assaults and Violence in Bars can vary by your area. Some areas have systems that operate on the issue. Some factors that we believe are contributing to assaults in bars include:
Type of Establishment
Certain types of bars, such as dance clubs, have higher levels of reported violence. Neighborhood bars and social clubs have lower levels of reported violence, partly because patrons know one another well, and partly because they usually revolve conflicts privately. Restaurants that serve alcohol also have less violence. Bars that serve as pickup places, cater to prostitutes, traffic in drugs or stolen goods, or feature aggressive entertainment are at higher risk for violence.
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol is the most obvious factor contributing to aggression and violence in bars. Alcohol contributes to violence by limiting drinkers' perceived options during a conflict, heightening their emotionality, increasing their willingness to take risks, reducing their fear of sanctions and impairing their ability to talk their way out of trouble.
Bar Closing Time
Bars' hours of operation contribute to the risk of violence in different ways. One way is, when all bars in a given area close at the same time, and large numbers of patrons exit simultaneously, crowds may linger on the sidewalk to wait for transportation or to order food from late-night restaurants, and competition for these services can precipitate assaults.
Concentration of Bars
Some bars attract crime, while others are merely affected by crime in surrounding neighborhood. Blocks with bars have higher levels of reported crime than blocks with no bars. If all bars close at the same time, the risks of conflicts on the street increase.
Price Discounting of Drinks
Many bars offer discounted prices for drinks to attract patrons, but price discounting increases patrons' intoxication levels and thereby increases the risks of aggression. We understand that it is a marketing technique but, the technique is becoming too popular and dangerous.
Availability of Weapons
Inside of bar, patrons can use bottles, glasses, pool cues, heavy ashtrays, and bar furniture as weapons. The more available those weapons are to violence patrons then, they will use them as tool to commit violence.
Crowding and Lack of Comfort
Dis-comfort increases the risks of aggression and violence. Crowding around the bar, in restrooms, on dance floors, around pool tables, and near phones creates the risks of accidental bumping and irritation, which can cause fights and other violent events.
[Content, Courtesy of the U.S Department of Justice and CPA Staff]