Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Crime at sexually oriented businesses

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Security Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Debate about whether crime is associated with sexually oriented businesses (SOBs) shows mixed results. However, previous research focuses only on crime (measured generally) in the neighborhoods surrounding such businesses. The present study examines all crime reported at the premises of all SOBs in Louisville, Kentucky. Analyses show that crime (violent, property, disorder and total) is higher at SOBs than a control group of bars, crime (especially violent crime) is significantly higher at strip clubs than adult bookstores, and across adult bookstores those with private video viewing booths have higher rates of crime than stores without such booths. Results are discussed and explained within the context of SOBs’ culture, daily flows of activity and typical patron characteristics.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. In 2003, Jefferson County and its largest city, Louisville, merged and formed a single governmental agency, Louisville Metro (2010 US Census Bureau population=741 096). Several small communities within the county opted out of the agreement and continue to provide their own local governmental services, including police services. The LMPD was formed at the time of the merger and polices approximately 90 per cent of the population and area of the county.

  2. In Louisville, bars and strip clubs remain open and may sell alcohol until 4:00.

References

  • Alwitt, L. and Donely, T. (1997) Retail stores in poor neighborhoods. The Journal of Consumer Affairs 31 (1): 139–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andrew, C.J. (2002) The secondary effects doctrine: The historical development, current application, and potential mischaracterization of an elusive judicial precedent. Rutgers Law Review 54 (4): 1175–1220.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bingham, R. and Zhang, Z. (1997) Poverty and economic morphology of Ohio central-city neighborhoods. Urban Affairs Review 32 (6): 766–796.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, L.E. and Felson, M. (1979) Social change and crime rate trends: A routine activity approach. American Sociological Review 44 (4): 588–608.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, C.B. and Kelly, E.D. (2008) Survey of Appraisers: Secondary Effects of Sexually Oriented Businesses on Market Values. Austin, TX: Duncan Associates. Report Submitted to the Texas City Attorneys Association.

  • DeMichele, M. and Tewksbury, R. (2004) Sociological explorations in site-specific social control: The role of the strip club bouncer. Deviant Behavior 25 (6): 537–558.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Department of Planning and Development. (2006) Adult Cabarets in Seattle. Seattle, WA: Department of Planning and Development.

  • Donnelly, P. (1981) Running the gauntlet: The moral order of pornographic movie theaters. Urban Life 10 (3): 239–264.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douglas, B. and Tewksbury, R. (2008) Theaters and sex: An examination of anonymous sexual encounters in an erotic oasis. Deviant Behavior 29 (1): 1–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duncan Associates. (2000) Sexually Oriented Business Study: Rochester, New York. Austin, TX: Duncan Associates.

  • Erickson, D.J. and Tewksbury, R. (2000) The ‘gentlemen’ in the club: A typology of strip club patrons. Deviant Behavior 21 (3): 271–293.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ford, J.M. and Beveridge, A.A. (2004) ‘Bad’ neighborhoods, fast food, ‘sleazy’ businesses and drug dealers: Relations between the location of licit and illicit businesses in the urban environment. Journal of Drug Issues 34 (1): 51–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forsyth, C.J. and Deshotels, T.H. (1997) The occupational milieu of the nude dancer. Deviant Behavior 18 (2): 125–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, E.D. and Cooper, C.B. (2008) Survey of Florida Appraisers: Effects of Land Uses on Market Values. Austin, TX: Duncan Associates. Report Submitted to Palm Beach County, Florida.

  • Linz, D. and Paul, B. (2002) Testing assumptions made by the Supreme Court concerning the negative secondary effects of adult businesses: A quasi-experimental approach to a First Amendment issue. Paper presented at the 2002 International Communication Association. Acapulco, Mexico.

  • Linz, D., Land, K.C., Williams, J.R., Paul, B. and Ezell, M.E. (2004) An examination of the assumption that adult businesses are associated with crime in surrounding areas: A secondary effects study in Charlotte, North Carolina. Law & Society Review 38 (1): 69–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Linz, D., Paul, B. and Yao, M.Z. (2006) Peep show establishments, police activity, public place, and time: A study of secondary effects in San Diego, California. The Journal of Sex Research 43 (2): 182–193.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCleary, R. (2007) Crime-Related Secondary Effects of Sexually Oriented Businesses. Irvine, CA: Published by Author. Report to the Los Angeles City Attorney.

  • McCleary, R. (2008) Rural hotspots: The case of adult businesses. Criminal Justice Policy Review 19 (2): 153–163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCleary, R. and Meeker, J.W. (2006) Do peep shows ‘cause’ crime? A response to Linz, Paul, and Yao. The Journal of Sex Research 43 (2): 194–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCleary, R. and Tewksbury, R. (2010) Female patrons of porn. Deviant Behavior 31 (2): 208–223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCord, E.S. and Tewksbury, R. (2011) Adult businesses and crime: Seeking a better understanding. Presented at the 19th Environmental Criminology and Crime Analysis Symposium. Durban, South Africa.

  • National Law Center for Children and Families. (2005) NLC Summaries of ‘SOB Land Use’ Studies. Alexandria, VA: National Law Center for Children and Families.

  • Potter, G.W. (1986) The Porn Merchants. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rengert, G., Ratcliffe, J.H. and Chakravorty, S. (2005) Policing Illegal Drug Markets: Geographic Approaches to Crime Reduction. Monsey, NY: Criminal Justice Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryder, A. (2004) The changing nature of adult entertainment districts: Between a rock and a hard place or going from strength to strength? Urban Studies 41 (9): 1659–1686.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, C.R. and McKay, H.D. (1942) Juvenile Delinquency in Urban Areas. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sundholm, C. (1973) The pornographic arcade: Ethnographic notes on moral men in immoral places. Urban Life and Culture 2 (1): 85–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tewksbury, R. (1990) Patrons of porn. Deviant Behavior 11 (3): 259–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tewksbury, R. (1993) Peepshows and ‘perverts’: Men and masculinity in an adult bookstore. Journal of Men's Studies 2 (1): 53–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tewksbury, R., McCleary, R. and Sexton, L. (forthcoming) Gendered activity cycles in adult bookstores. International Journal of Crime, Criminal Justice and Law, in press.

  • Weatherford, J.M. (1986) Porn Row. New York: Arbor House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, J.Q. and Kelling, G.L. (1982) Broken windows: The police and neighborhood safety. Atlantic Monthly 249 (March): 29–38.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Justice Administration, University of Louisville, Louisville, 40292, KY, USA

    Richard Tewksbury & Eric S McCord

Authors
  1. Richard Tewksbury
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Eric S McCord
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Richard Tewksbury.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tewksbury, R., McCord, E. Crime at sexually oriented businesses. Secur J 27, 349–360 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1057/sj.2012.33

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/sj.2012.33

Search

Navigation