Hey Portlanders

Do you ever avoid the Old Port because you're afraid for your safety? Please comment below...

Retailer density linked to adolescent binge drinking

A new study published online this month in the American Journal of Public Health suggests that binge drinking and drinking and driving among 12-17 year olds is “significantly associated with the presence of alcohol retailers” within a half mile of their home.

"Our study suggests that living in close proximity to alcohol outlets is a risk factor for youth," according to the researchers. "In California, retail licenses are not typically approved within 100 feet of a residence or within 600 feet of schools, public playgrounds and nonprofit youth facilities, but proximity by itself is not sufficient to deny a license ... More attention on the proximity rule is needed and environmental interventions need to curb opportunities for youth to get alcohol from commercial sources."

(via Join Together)

Maine Statute requires that liquor retailers be located at least 300’ away from schools, except in downtown areas. Perhaps not coincidentally, Portland has a 32% higher binge drinking rate among teens than the State of Maine, according to the 2008 MYDAUS results; in urban areas, alcohol outlets are in closer proximity to places where youth congregate.

This study underscores the need for extra caution in reviewing liquor license applications for locations close to places where youth live, study, and play.

Bar Dispersal Ordinance

Requiring adequate distance between bars is essential not only to protect public safety, but also to maintain a healthy economy and quality of life. A solid base of research suggests that as alcohol outlet density goes up in a community, so do crime, violence, and motor vehicle crashes.

The Portland Police Department, the Portland Downtown District, and the Night Life Oversight Committee all agree that 100 feet is the minimum space required to prevent problems with overcrowding of bars. If it were up to 21 Reasons, there would be even more breathing room between bars-–at least 200 feet.

We need to be intentional about the future development of our downtown district. We need to promote diversification, so that we have a healthy mix of retail, restaurants, bars, and residences. Just as we have set-back requirements for new construction, we need to have "set-back" requirements for new bars going into this zone. We all want our downtown entertainment district to grow as a destination that is exciting, vibrant, and safe. Please help that to happen by maintaining a 100 foot buffer zone between bars.

Furthermore, we need to respect the process and previous efforts of our civic leaders. This issue has been studied, discussed, and decided upon only one year ago. There have been no significant environmental or cultural factors which warrant a revisit to all the hard work and thoughtful consideration that went into the 100' bar dispersal ordinance. To bring this up again so soon afterwards is disrespectful to our civic leaders and the process by which they adopted the ordinance.