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Local Option, Alcohol and Crime

Author

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  • Billings Stephen B.

    (Department of Economics, University of North Carolina – Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28236, USA)

Abstract

With the end of National Prohibition in 1933, 30 states gave counties and municipalities the local option to continue alcohol restrictions. Currently, 10% of U.S. counties still maintain a ban on some or all alcohol. Since the Prohibition movement advanced on the association between alcohol use and criminal behavior, this research examines the impact of county-level alcohol restrictions on multiple types of crime across five U.S. states. Standard panel models show a positive relationship between local option policy changes to allow alcohol and crime. The novelty of this research involves comparing the impact of alcohol restrictions across crimes classified by the degree to which an offense is often committed under the influence of alcohol. Results highlight impacts across a number of crime categories with crimes commonly committed under the influence of alcohol as well as crimes involving drug use and even crimes associated with obtaining alcohol all increasing when counties allow the sale and consumption of alcohol.

Suggested Citation

  • Billings Stephen B., 2014. "Local Option, Alcohol and Crime," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 14(3), pages 791-816, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:bejeap:v:14:y:2014:i:3:p:26:n:7
    DOI: 10.1515/bejeap-2013-0040
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Baughman, Reagan & Conlin, Michael & Dickert-Conlin, Stacy & Pepper, John, 2001. "Slippery when wet: the effects of local alcohol access laws on highway safety," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 20(6), pages 1089-1096, November.
    2. Ciro Biderman & JoãoMP DeMello & Alexandre Schneider, 2010. "Dry Laws and Homicides: Evidence from the São Paulo Metropolitan Area," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 120(543), pages 157-182, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Murphy, David M.A., 2023. "Sobriety, social capital, and village network structures," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • K4 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior
    • H7 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations
    • R5 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis

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