Where drinks and danger meet: Analyzing the spatial link between Bars and crime in Detroit

Alcohol consumption has long been linked to various crimes, including homicide, assault, sex-related offenses, family violence, and chronic aggressiveness in adults. While the association between alcohol use and violent crime is well-documented, few studies have examined the spatial co-occurrence of bar locations - a primary venue for alcohol sales - and crime incidents across precise geographical locations and over time. This study employs the global colocation quotient (GCLQ) and the local colocation quotient (LCLQ) to analyze the spatial correlation between five types of liquor establishments (bar, lounge, live house, nightclub, and pub) and seven types of crimes (aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, murder, motor vehicle theft, rape, and robbery) in Detroit, Michigan from 2017 to 2022. Findings demonstrate stable spatial relationships between bars and crimes across different years, with downtown bars showing a lower crime association, bars in clusters showing diverse patterns, and isolated bars in higher risk. The analysis reveals discrepancies in risk among different types. The safety index of the neighborhood surrounding bars is assessed through colocation analysis, demonstrating a correlation with bar-related security. Based on these insights, the study recommends heightened supervision for bars in high-risk areas and developing tailored prevention measures.