Alcohol significant role in downtown crimes
Brandy Swart | Staff Writer
Issue date: 3/17/10 Section: News
Next time you feel like a night out in downtown Wilmington you may want to think twice. New crime reports show that alcohol consumption plays a significant role in violent crimes happening in downtown Wilmington.
According to a recent article in the Star-News, the most violent crimes-murder, rape and aggravated assault-happen in the downtown business district by young adults under the influence of alcohol.
Lt. Ed Pigford of the Wilmington Police Department stated, "The biggest thing is intoxication level. That is the biggest enemy downtown. People pretty much get out of hand. It is unfortunate, but high intoxication levels create violence and victim issues."
A police report from Jan. 1, 1998 to Aug. 5, 2009, showed that 63 percent of all violent crimes happen between midnight and 3 a.m. in downtown Wilmington. The majority happening from 2 to 3 a.m. after most bars have closed and people are heading home.
The area between Water and Third streets and Castle and Red Cross have seen more violent crimes in the past 11 years than any other part of the city. This area is known as the central business district.
According to the police department, on an average night downtown there are anywhere from 6,000 to 8,000 people. Of the violent crimes reported in the past 11 years 51 percent were aggravated assaults, 44 percent were robberies, 4 percent were rapes, and 0.5 percent murders.
Where do students fall into these percentages? According to police reports, both violent and non-violent crimes are caused by 18- to 22-year-olds that had consumed alcohol and could be prevented if bars downtown allowed only 21-year-olds and up in their establishments.
"The age group causing problems is actually stretched out from 18 to 25. We are literally not seeing the crime trend until bar closing hours of 12 a.m. and on. That automatically implicates 18 to 25 year olds. They haven't out-grown the bar scene yet, and some never do," states Pigford.
Katherine Brawley, a UNCW Nursing School student, maintains the buddy system when partaking in Wilmington's night life.
"Going in a group helps to keep everyone safe. We always designate a driver for the night or arrange for a cab drop-off and pick-up beforehand. Taking care of getting there and back prior to going makes for a smooth night."
For more information on how crime is affecting downtown Wilmington, please visit Wilmington's public service Web site: http://www.ci.wilmington.nc.us/
According to a recent article in the Star-News, the most violent crimes-murder, rape and aggravated assault-happen in the downtown business district by young adults under the influence of alcohol.
Lt. Ed Pigford of the Wilmington Police Department stated, "The biggest thing is intoxication level. That is the biggest enemy downtown. People pretty much get out of hand. It is unfortunate, but high intoxication levels create violence and victim issues."
A police report from Jan. 1, 1998 to Aug. 5, 2009, showed that 63 percent of all violent crimes happen between midnight and 3 a.m. in downtown Wilmington. The majority happening from 2 to 3 a.m. after most bars have closed and people are heading home.
The area between Water and Third streets and Castle and Red Cross have seen more violent crimes in the past 11 years than any other part of the city. This area is known as the central business district.
According to the police department, on an average night downtown there are anywhere from 6,000 to 8,000 people. Of the violent crimes reported in the past 11 years 51 percent were aggravated assaults, 44 percent were robberies, 4 percent were rapes, and 0.5 percent murders.
Where do students fall into these percentages? According to police reports, both violent and non-violent crimes are caused by 18- to 22-year-olds that had consumed alcohol and could be prevented if bars downtown allowed only 21-year-olds and up in their establishments.
"The age group causing problems is actually stretched out from 18 to 25. We are literally not seeing the crime trend until bar closing hours of 12 a.m. and on. That automatically implicates 18 to 25 year olds. They haven't out-grown the bar scene yet, and some never do," states Pigford.
Katherine Brawley, a UNCW Nursing School student, maintains the buddy system when partaking in Wilmington's night life.
"Going in a group helps to keep everyone safe. We always designate a driver for the night or arrange for a cab drop-off and pick-up beforehand. Taking care of getting there and back prior to going makes for a smooth night."
For more information on how crime is affecting downtown Wilmington, please visit Wilmington's public service Web site: http://www.ci.wilmington.nc.us/
Be the first to comment on this story