October 7, 2002 |
2002-R-0768 | |
CASINOS AND CRIME | ||
By: Danielle O'Connell | ||
You asked whether the Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos have caused school violence to increase in the towns surrounding them (Ledyard, Montville, Norwich, North Stonington, and Preston). You also want to know if serious crime has increased in these towns since the casinos began operating.
SUMMARY
We were unable to locate any studies linking school violence with casinos.
The Foxwoods Casino opened in Ledyard in 1992; Mohegan Sun opened in Montville in 1996. Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) data show that since the casinos opened, index (serious) crimes have increased overall in Ledyard, Montville, Norwich, North Stonington, and Preston combined. Index crimes are murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft (MVT). The increase in these crimes occurred primarily on casino premises.
Several studies have linked casinos and crimes. A range of other factors affects crime, including population density and growth, number of visitors, income levels and economic conditions, and law enforcement strength. These are outside the scope of this report, which describes the changes in crime figures but does not discuss the casinos' role in them or causality.
The UCR data show that:
1. During 1983 through 1991, an average of 2,400 index crimes per year were committed in the five towns combined; between 1992 through 1995, when Foxwoods was the sole casino operating, the annual average increased by 16% to 2,791 crimes. Between 1996 and 2000 (the latest year for which data are available), when both casinos were operating, the average increased to 2,904—up 21% over the pre-casino years.
2. Larceny and aggravated assault accounted for the biggest share of crimes and for most of the increase.
3. Robbery and MVT increased marginally, while burglary declined.
4. Murder and rape figures were generally unchanged, except in Norwich, where rape increased.
5. Ledyard and Montville had the most significant increases in crime during the post-casino years.
6. In North Stonington and Preston, the number of serious crimes remained relatively unchanged during the period reviewed.
7. During the 1983 to 2000 period, the statewide number of index crimes fell 42%, from 156,199 to 110, 298, with decreases in all of the crime categories other than aggravated assault and rape. In contrast in the five towns, index crimes increased by 2.3%.
The report presents annual number of crimes, rather than crime data per 1,000 residents. According to U.S. census data, there were no significant population fluctuations in the five towns between 1980 and 2000.
BACKGROUND
Towns Receiving Impact Grants
The report discusses the towns of Ledyard, Montville, North Stonington, Norwich, and Preston. These towns have been identified by the state as those most directly affected by the casinos and consequently are recipients of state impact grants from the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Fund.
Index Crimes
Serious crime is measured by an index consisting of violent crimes (rape, murder, robbery, and aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft). These crimes are called index crimes. Police departments must report them to the State Police, which compiles and publishes them annually in UCR. The index does not include other crimes generally associated with casinos, such as forgery, counterfeiting, check and credit card fraud, embezzlement, disorderly conduct, and drunk driving.
The figures in this report are based on “actual offenses,” which are crimes reported to law enforcement agencies, minus complaints determined to be unfounded.
Period Reviewed
The report covers 1983 through 2000, broken down as follows: 1983 through 1991 (pre-casino years); 1992 through 1995 (Foxwoods' period); and 1996 through 2000 (post Mohegan Sun years, when both casinos were operating).
LARCENY
Larceny is the non-violent, unlawful taking of property from another and includes shoplifting, pick pocketing, purse snatching, and theft from motor vehicles.
Five Towns
Overall, larceny increased in the five towns combined (see Attachment 1, Figure 1). In the nine pre-casino years, larcenies averaged 1,457 per year. From 1992 to 1995, the annual average rose by 24% to 1,815. Between 1996 and 2000, it rose to 1,972 per year, a 35% increase above the pre-casino years. Most of the increase occurred in Ledyard and Montville.
Ledyard
Since 1992, larcenies in Ledyard have been increasing dramatically and have remained above the pre-casino levels. These crimes increased from a pre-casino average of 130 per year to 602 per year between 1992 and 1995.
This is a 363% increase. They continued to increase after the Mohegan Sun opened, averaging 664 per year between 1996 and 2000, a 411% increase over the pre-casino years (see Attachment 2, Figure 2).
As Table 1 shows, most of the increase between 1996 and 2000 occurred on casino premises.
Table 1: Larceny Crimes Committed in Ledyard (1996-2000)
Crime Location |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
Casino Premises |
518 |
538 |
737 |
490 |
565 |
Town (excluding casino) |
80 |
102 |
84 |
104 |
101 |
Total |
598 |
640 |
821 |
594 |
666 |
Montville
Starting in 1996, the number of larcenies in Montville increased to an 18-year high in 2000. The increase though substantial was much less dramatic than that in Ledyard, which until 1991 had fewer cases of larceny than Montville.
In the nine-year period before Foxwoods opened, larcenies averaged 163 per year in Montville. Between 1992 and 1995, the average fell to123 per year, a 25% drop. Since Mohegan Sun opened in 1996, and through 2000, the average has risen to 393 per year—up 141% above the pre-casino years (see Attachment 2, Figure 2).
Table 2 shows that most of the larceny increases between 1997 and 2000 was on casino premises. Larceny decreased in the rest of the town.
Table 2: Larceny Crimes Committed in Montville (1997-2000)
Crime Location |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
Casino Premises |
251 |
299 |
268 |
453 |
Town (excluding casino) |
154 |
109 |
120 |
126 |
Total |
405 |
408 |
388 |
579 |
Norwich, Preston, and Stonington
Larceny has been declining in Norwich since 1987 when it peaked at 1,212 offenses. The downward trend continued after the casinos were built. In the nine-year period ending in 1991, larcenies averaged 1,081 per year. Between 1992 and 1995, the average fell to 1,009 per year, a 7% decrease from the pre-casino years. And between1996 and 2000, the average fell further to 846 per year, a 22% decrease over the pre-casino years.
In North Stonington and Preston, the number of larcenies has remained relatively unchanged since 1983 (see Attachment 2, Figure 2).
MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT (MVT)
Five Towns
The combined five-town data show that MVTs declined during the period 1987 through 1991, when they fell to a five-year low. Beginning in 1993, these crimes started to increase until 1997, when they peaked at 203. In the nine-year pre-casino period MVTs averaged 147 per year. Between 1992 and 1995, the average fell to 123 per year, a 16% decrease. After 1996, the average grew to 164 per year—12% above the pre-casino years (see Attachment 3, Figure 3).
Ledyard
Since the Foxwoods Casino opened, there have been more MVTs in Ledyard every year (except 1999) than in the pre-casino period. In the nine-year pre-casino period, MVTs averaged 8 per year. Between 1992 and 1995, the average doubled to 16 per year. After the Mohegan Sun opened in 1996, and through 2000, the average increased to 20 per year, a 150% increase over the pre-casino years (see Attachment 4, Figure 4).
The following figures show that the majority of MVTs occurred on casino property.
Table 3: Motor Vehicle Thefts Committed in Ledyard (1996-2000)
Crime location |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
Casino Premises |
28 |
13 |
6 |
5 |
13 |
Town (excluding casino) |
6 |
11 |
9 |
1 |
9 |
Total |
34 |
24 |
15 |
6 |
22 |
Montville
Beginning in 1995, Montville also saw an upward trend in the number of MVTs per year. In the nine-year pre-casino period, MVTs averaged 19 per year. Between 1992 and 1995, the annual average fell to 11, a 44% decrease.
But, after Mohegan Sun opened in 1996, and through 2000, the average increased to 19 per year—the same as for the pre-Foxwoods period (see Attachment 4, Figure 4).
Table 4 shows the number of MVTs on and off casino premises in Montville between 1997 and 2000.
Table 4: MVTs Committed in Montville (1997-2000)
Crime Location |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
Casino Premises |
7 |
4 |
3 |
0 |
Town (excluding casino premises) |
18 |
13 |
11 |
15 |
Total |
25 |
17 |
14 |
15 |
Norwich, Preston, and North Stonington
After declining to a 10-year low in 1992, MVTs in Norwich increased to a 16-year high in 1998, after which it declined again. The annual average fell from 109 in the nine-year pre-casino period to 87 in 1992 through 1995, a 20% decrease. Between 1996 and 2000, MVTs averaged 113 per year, a 4% increase above the pre-Foxwoods period (see Attachment 4, Figure 4).
The number of motor vehicle thefts in Preston and North Stonington has remained relatively unchanged since 1983 (see Attachment 4, Figure 4).
ROBBERY
Robbery is the taking, or attempt to take, anything of value from the care, custody or control of a person by force, threat of force or violence.
Five Towns
The combined data for the five towns show that overall robberies have increased since Foxwoods opened. But, the number of occurrences fluctuates from year to year and, except for Norwich, remains low. In the nine-year pre-casino period, robberies averaged 45 per year. Between 1992 and 1995, the average increased to 59, a 31% increase. From 1996 through 2000, the average remained at 59 per year (see Attachment 5, Figure 5).
Ledyard
The number of robberies in Ledyard began to increase after 1992, reaching a 12-year high of 11 in 1994. It has been declining since but, except for 1998, has remained above the pre-casino level. On average, one robbery was committed per year in the pre-casino years in Ledyard. The average rose to six between 1992 through 1995 and five between 1996 and 2000 (see Attachment 6, Figure 6).
Table 5 shows the number of robberies committed on and off casino premises in Ledyard between 1996 and 2000.
Table 5: Robberies Committed in Ledyard (1996-2000)
Crime location |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
Casino |
3 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
Town (excluding casino) |
2 |
6 |
0 |
5 |
2 |
Total |
5 |
6 |
2 |
7 |
5 |
Montville
The number of robberies in Montville began to increase in 1996 to an 18-year high of eight in 1997, and generally, the figures for the post-Mohegan Sun years are higher than the pre-casino years. An average of three robberies per year were committed in Montville between 1983 and 1991, the same as for the period 1992 through 1995. Between 1996 and 2000, the average doubled to 6 per year (see Attachment 6, Figure 6).
Table 6 shows robberies committed in Montville and on casino premises between 1997 and 2000.
Table 6: Robberies Committed in Montville (1997-2000)
Crime Location |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
Casino Premises |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Town (excluding casino) |
6 |
3 |
7 |
4 |
Total |
8 |
4 |
7 |
5 |
Norwich
Since 1983, Norwich has had significantly more robberies per year than any of the other five towns. After a period of relative decline, robbery increased dramatically, beginning in 1992. Since then, the averages per year have fluctuated, but have generally remained above pre-casino levels. The average rose from 39 per year between 1983 and 1991 to 48 between 1992 and 1995, a 23% increase. From 1996 through 2000, the average fell slightly to 47, an increase of 21% above the pre-Foxwoods period (see Attachment 6, Figure 6)
Preston and North Stonington
Robbery figures for both Preston and North Stonington have remained relatively unchanged since 1983 (see Attachment 6, Figure 6).
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
Aggravated assault is the unlawful attack by one person upon another with the intent to inflict severe bodily harm. Such an assault is usually accompanied by a weapon or by means likely to cause death or great bodily injury.
Five Towns
Overall, aggravated assault has been increasing in the five towns since 1985. After a small decline in 1992, it increased again in 1993 and since then, has remained relatively flat, but above the pre-Foxwoods level. Between 1983 and 1991, aggravated assaults averaged 143 per year; from 1992 through 1995, the annual average rose to 210, a 47% increase. Between 1996 and 2000, the average remained at 210, a 47% increase over the pre-Foxwoods period (see Attachment 7, Figure 7).
Ledyard
Aggravated assault had been steadily increasing in Ledyard since 1986, but since 1992, the increase has been more marked. The number of these crimes committed in Ledyard between 1983 and 1991 averaged 16 per year. Between 1992 and 1995, the average increased to 37 per year—up 131%. Between 1996 through 2000, the average rose to 40—up 150% over the pre-Foxwoods period (see Attachment 8, Figure 8).
Table 7 shows the number of aggravated assaults committed in Ledyard and on casino premises between 1996 and 2000.
Table 7: Aggravated Assaults Committed in Ledyard (1996-2000)
Crime Location |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
Casino premises |
16 |
13 |
16 |
13 |
12 |
Town (excluding casino premises) |
23 |
34 |
29 |
21 |
23 |
Total |
39 |
47 |
45 |
34 |
35 |
Montville
As is the case with Ledyard, aggravated assault had been steadily increasing in Montville before the Foxwoods Casino opened. After a one-year drop in 1995, it started to rise in 1996 to a 17-year high in 1999 (see Attachment 8, Figure 8). Aggravated assaults, which averaged 34 per year from 1983 through 1991, rose to 52 per year between 1992 and 1995, a 53% increase. Between 1996 and 2000, the average rose to 63 per year—up 85% over the nine pre-casino years.
Table 8 shows the number of aggravated assaults committed in Montville and on casino premises between 1997 and 2000.
Table 8: Aggravated Assaults Committed in Montville (1997-2000)
Crime Location |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
Casino Premises) |
6 |
6 |
8 |
6 |
Town (excluding casino premises) |
62 |
58 |
65 |
49 |
Total |
68 |
64 |
73 |
55 |
Norwich
The number of aggravated assaults in Norwich had been high in the pre-casino years and remained so after Foxwoods opened. Beginning in 1985, aggravated assault started to rise to a high of 117 in 1989. In 1992, the number of these crimes fell but started to rise again in 1993 to a 13-year high of 121 in 1995. Since then, it has been declining and in 1998, reached its lowest point in 10 years.
On average, 83 aggravated assaults were committed each year in Norwich in the pre-casino period. Between 1992 and 1995, the average grew to 105 per year—up 27%. Between 1996 and 2000, the average was 89 per year. This is down from the previous period but reflects a 7% increase above the pre-casino period (see Attachment 8, Figure 8).
Preston and North Stonington
The number of aggravated assaults in Preston and North Stonington has remained relatively unchanged since 1983 (see Attachment 8, Figure 8).
BURGLARY
Burglary is the forcible entry, or unlawful entry without force, into a structure.
Five Towns
Overall, burglary decreased in the five towns. The decline began in 1985 and, with the minor exceptions, continued through the post-casino years. For the five towns combined, burglaries averaged 622 per year during the pre-casino years. Between 1992 and 1995, the average fell to 535 per year, a 14% decrease. Between 1996 and 2000, the average fell further to 466, a 25% decrease over the pre-casino years. Norwich accounted for most of the burglaries that occurred each year (see Attachment 9, Figure 9).
Ledyard
Following a period of general decline, burglaries committed in Ledyard fell to a 10-year low in 1992. In 1993, the number of burglaries started to increase slightly through 1996 but remained below pre-casino levels during the Foxwoods period. In the nine-year pre-casino period, burglaries averaged 68 per year. Between 1992 and 1995, the average fell 31% to 47 per year. Between 1995 and 2000, the average increased slightly to 50 per year. This is a 26% decrease from the pre-casino years (see Attachment 10, Figure 10).
Table 9 shows the number of burglaries committed in Ledyard and on the casino property between 1996 and 2000. Burglaries decreased sharply in the town; they increased on the casino premises.
Table 9: Burglaries Committed in Ledyard (1996-2000)
Crimes Location |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
Casino Premises |
1 |
6 |
14 |
10 |
12 |
Town (excluding casino premises) |
69 |
49 |
22 |
27 |
39 |
Total |
70 |
55 |
36 |
37 |
51 |
Montville
The number of burglaries committed in Montville has been declining since 1987 (except for 1990 and 1991). Generally, the declining trend has continued into the post casino years. Burglaries declined from an average of 119 per year in the pre-casino period to 81 between 1992 and 1995, a 32% decrease. Between 1996 and 2000, the average fell to 66 per year, a 45% decrease over the pre-casino years (see Attachment 10, Figure 10).
Table 10 shows the number of burglaries committed in Montville and on the casino premises between 1996 and 2000.
Table 10: Burglaries Committed in Montville (1997-2000)
Crime Location |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
Casino Premises |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
Town (excluding casino premises) |
74 |
50 |
56 |
84 |
Total |
76 |
51 |
57 |
84 |
Norwich
The data show that the number of burglaries committed in Norwich remained relatively constant during the pre-casino years, with the exception of 1988, when they decreased. Since 1993, burglaries have been declining in this town and in 1999, fell to an 18-year low. Burglaries decreased from an average of 375 per year between 1983 and 1991 to 350 per year between 1992 and 1995, a 7% decrease. Between 1996 and 2000, the average fell further to 296 per year, a 21% decrease from the pre-casino years (see Attachment 10, Figure 10).
Preston and North Stonington
The number of burglaries in Preston and North Stonington has remained relatively unchanged during the period studied (see Attachment 10, Figure 10).
MURDER AND RAPE
Except for Norwich, no town showed any noticeable increase in murder or rape since the casinos opened. In fact, no more than four murders occurred in any of the towns over the 18-year period.
In Norwich, rapes increased from an average of 15 during 1983 through 1991 to 34 between 1992 through 1995, a 127% increase. Between 1996 and 2000, the average fell to 25 per year, still 67% above the pre-casino years
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