St. Paul, MN
Crime Statistics Study
In 1978, the St. Paul Division of Planning and the Minnesota Crime Control Planning board conducted a study of the relationship between sex-oriented and alcohol-oriented adult entertainment businesses and neighborhood blight. This study looked at crime rates per thousand and median housing values over time as indices of neighborhood deterioration. The study combined sex-oriented and alcohol-oriented businesses, so its conclusions are only suggestive of the effects of sexually oriented businesses alone. Nevertheless, the study reached the following important conclusions:
1. There is a statistically significant correlation between the location of adult businesses and neighborhood deterioration.
2. Adult entertainment establishments tend to locate in somewhat deteriorated areas.
3. Additional relative deterioration of an area follows location of an adult business in the area.
4. There is a significantly higher crime rare associated with two such businesses in an area than is associated with only one adult business.
5. Housing values are also significantly lower in an area where there are three adult businesses than they are in an area with only one such business.
Similar conclusions about the adverse impact of sexually oriented businesses on the community were reached in studies conducted in cities across the nation.