Does restricting opening hours reduce alcohol related violence?

transcript

Does restricting opening hours reduce

alcohol related violence?

Sergio Duailibi William Ponicki Joel Grube Ilana Pinsky Ronaldo Laranjeira Martin Raw Am J Public Health (in press)

Industrial town: 1500 factories

Part of the metropolitan area of the City of São Paulo

Population: 383.600

Total area: 30.7 Km2

Numbers of people by km2 : 12.496

(2nd largest of the country)

Unemployment rates: 21.23% 2001

15.70 % 2005

DIADEMA

RESTRICTING HOURS OF SALE IN DIADEMA, BRAZIL:REASONS

The community had very high rates of homicides, assaults, vehicle crashes, and gang violence. Many of these incidents and homicides occurred between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM.

In response, the municipal government passed an ordinance effective July, 2002 that prohibited on-premise alcohol sales between the hours of 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM. Previously there were no sales-hour restrictions and most establishments remained open 24 hours.

First Intervention:

The creation of The Municipal Department of Social Policies and Public Security;

The Mapping of all Criminal Activities in the Region.

Bridging the gap between the Mayor’s office and the public security issues in the City!

STRATEGIES AND INTERVENTIONS

RESTRICTING HOURS OF SALE IN DIADEMA, BRAZIL: PROGRESSIVE PENALTIES AND POPULARIZATION

(a) a warning for first offense, (b) a fine for a second offense, (c) fine and license suspension for a third offense, and (d) license cancellation for a fourth offense.

Teams of municipal guards and representatives of other city agencies were assigned on a random basis to enforce the ordinance.

Local news, radio and educational brochures distributed to the community were used to increase awareness of the new ordinance. A toll-free number was provided to allow the public to report offenders. Surveys indicated a high level of community receptivity and participation with more than 90% approval after 2 years.

The closure of all establishments that sells alcoholic beverages from 11:00 PM to 06:00 AM

The Inspections and Law Enforcement Operations

WEEKLY MEETINGS WITH PROPRIETORS OF BARS.

DAILY FISCALIZATION

A PERMANENT PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON CRIME PREVENTION

- Inspections of bars

- Inspections of irregular commercial establishments

- Inspections of noise and social disturbances

- The control of the informal market (street vendors)

STRATEGIES AND INTERVENTIONS

Statistical Analysis

Data on homicides (1995 to 2005) and violence against women (2000 to 2005) from the Diadema (population 360,000) police archives were analyzed using log-linear regression analyses.

ASSAULTS ON WOMEN PER 1,000 RESIDENTS

Figure 1: Assaults against Women per 1,000 Residents

Jul-00

Oct-00

Jan-01

Apr-01

Jul-01

Oct-01

Jan-02

Apr-02

Jul-02

Oct-02

Jan-03

Apr-03

Jul-03

Oct-03

Jan-04

Apr-04

Jul-04

Oct-04

Jan-05

Apr-05

Jul-05

After closing-time regulationBefore closing-time regulation

Note: Assault rates for July 2000 and July 2005 are based on half-months of data.

HOMICIDES PER 1,000 RESIDENTS

Figure 2: Homicides per 1,000 Residents

After closing-time regulationBefore closing-time regulation

Note: Homicide rate for July 2005 is based on half-month of data.

The introduction of the new restriction on drinking hours led to a decrease of almost 9 murders a month.

ESTIMATED EFFECTS OF REDUCING HOURS OF SALES: HOMICIDES AND ASSAULTS

Number of lives

saves (4 years) 95% CI : 528

% Reduction on homicides : 46,1%

Number of assaults

prevented (4 Years) 95% CI : 432

% Reduction on assaults: 25,8%

Homicides

Before and after the law enforcement of the closure of bars from 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM:

2001/2002 – reduction of 17.74%

2001/2003 - reduction of 32.39%

2001/2004 - reduction of 47.44%

DIADEMA - A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE!

34.5844.4854.1265.79

2004200320022001

Does restricting opening hours reduce alcohol related violence?

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