NCJ Number
186472
Journal
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management Volume: 23 Issue: 4 Dated: 2000 Pages: 466-491
Date Published
2000
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This article attempts to identify problems and effective strategies and tactics in policing entertainment districts.
Abstract
Entertainment is the largest trend in retailing and urban development, and is credited with revitalizing many downtowns. Many cities are attempting to replicate this success by developing pedestrian-oriented entertainment districts consisting of movie theaters, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, and retail shopping. This article summarizes the results of 30 police-manager interviews and a nationwide survey to identify entertainment district features that create problems and demands for police resources, and effective strategies and tactics for policing entertainment districts. The article claims that effective policing of entertainment districts begins at the district planning and design stage by engineering out features that create demands for police resources. Concentrations of nightclubs and bars, and inadequate street, parking, and sidewalk capacities are the main problems. The main forms of proactive policing in entertainment districts are identifying potential troublemakers, making proactive bar checks, preventing congregations, cooling hot spots, assuring pedestrian flow, and stopping gang activity. Tables, references, appendix