Download Property Crime and Substance Abuse at Nightclub Events. ASC

Property Crime in Hip-Hop vs. Electronic Dance
Music Nightclub Events: Examining the
Drugs/Crime Connection*
Phil Kavanaugh and Tammy Anderson
University of Delaware
Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice
For more info, contact:
[email protected] or [email protected]
*Project funded by NIJ Grant No. 2004-IJ-CX-0040, with additional support from
the University of Delaware
Introduction / Problem Statement

Currently, the hip-hop (HH) and electronic dance music (EDM)
nightclub scenes function as a major source of entertainment
and leisure activity for a large number of young adults.

These scenes have been linked to alcohol and drug abuse, as well
as various criminal behaviors, including property crimes such as
theft and vandalism.

Unfortunately, nightclubs have received relatively scant attention
as a site for addressing the connection between alcohol, drugs,
and crime (ADC) in both theoretical and empirical work.
Research Questions

What kinds of property crime occur at HH and EDM nightclub
events?

What is the relationship between alcohol and drug consumption
and property crime at these events?

How does this relationship vary by scene?

How do the activities and behavioral norms of the HH and
EDM scenes impact the ADC relationship in ways not
previously considered?
Theoretical Framework

Goldstein’s (1985) Tripartite Model.

White’s (1990) Common Cause Model.

Examining the ADC relationship in the nightclub-based leisure
economy allows us to:


Identify the factors that impact the ADC relationship in this setting.
Determine how well extant models apply to specific settings and diverse
populations.
Methodological Approach

Multi-method ethnographic study of the HH and EDM
nightclub scenes in Philadelphia, PA - conducted from April
2005 to January 2006.

Interviews with 51 participants in the EDM and HH nightclub scenes.

Direct observation of 33 nightclub events in the city of Philadelphia.

Data are self-reported, retrospective accounts of drug use and crime.

Used a grounded theory approach to generate findings.
Types of Data used to Discern Alcohol / Drug Use
and Property Crime

Drug and alcohol use



Self-reported use (present) and past (5 years).
Direct observation of consumption patterns at events.
Property Crime



Self-reports of property crime offending.
Respondent reports of property crime witnessed at club events.
Self-reports of property crime victimization.
Table 1. Respondent Race and Sex Breakdown
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Sex /Race
White
Black
Asian
Hispanic
Total #
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Male
9
10
4
3
26
Female
7
11
6
1
25
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Total #
16
21
10
4
51
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Table 2. Social Class Indicators by Race and Sex
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Race / Sex
Mean Age
Mean Inc.*
High School
Educational Attainment
Some College
B.A./M.A.***
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
White Male
White Female
Black Male
Black Female
Asian Male
Asian Female
Hisp. Male
Hisp. Female
26.6
25.2
26
22.2
28.5
25.4
26.3
25
$27,000
$26,520
$29,000
$25,860**
$55,900
$34,500
$35,250
$4,800
3
2
2
2
1
2
2
1
5
3
5
5
2
1
1
.
1
2
2
5
1
3
.
.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Totals
25.3
$36,820
15
22
14
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*
Income data is annual, and was provided for 45 of the 50 respondents. Six respondents were unemployed and not earning an
income at the time of the interview. The mean figures do not include data for those six.
** The mean income for black females may be artificially inflated due to one respondent earning $69,000 a year. If she is excluded,
the mean income for this category drops to $18,600.
*** One respondent had a graduate degree - a black female with a Master’s in computer science. Four others were pursuing advanced
degrees - 2 Asian females, 1 black female, and 1 white male.
Table 3. Hip-Hop Respondent Demographic and
Social Class Indicators
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Race / Sex
#
Mean Age
Mean Inc.
High School
Educational Attainment
Some College
B.A./M.A.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
White Male
White Female
Black Male
Black Female
Asian Male
Asian Female
Hisp. Male
Hisp. Female
3
2
7
9
2
5
1
1
26.3
28.5
26
23.7
26.5
25.4
29
25
$23,000
$38,000
$28,000
$26,830*
$60,000**
$34,500
$50,000
$4,800
1
.
1
.
1
1
.
1
2
1
4
4
.
1
1
.
.
1
2
5
1
3
.
.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Totals
30
26.3
$33,140
5
13
12
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*
**
The mean income for black females may be artificially inflated due to one respondent earning $69,000 a year. If she is excluded,
the mean income for this category drops to $18,400.
Mean income for the Asian male category is based on data from one respondent only.
Table 4. EDM Respondent Demographic and Social
Class Indicators
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Educational Attainment
Race / Sex
#
Mean Age
Mean Inc.
High School
Some College
B.A./M.A.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
White Male
6
26.8
$29,600
2
3
1
White Female
5
24
$23,650
2
2
1
Black Male
3
26.7
$32,500
1
2
.
Black Female
2
19.5
$20,000*
1
1
.
Asian Male
1
29.5
$57,500
.
2
.
Asian Female
1
25
$24,000
1
.
.
Hisp. Male
2
24
$20,500**
1
1
.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Totals
21
25
$29,700
8
11
2
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*
**
Mean income for the black female category is based on data for one respondent only.
Mean income for the Hispanic male category is based on data for one respondent only.
Table 5. Direct Observation of Events by Type
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Event Type
Commercial1 HH Commercial EDM
Underground2 HH Underground EDM
Mash-ups3
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Weeklies4
6
1
5
1
.
Monthlies5
Superstar One-off6
2
2
1
3
4
.
3
1
2
2
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Totals
10
5
9
5
4
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
Commercial refers to large events at clubs that replicate and appeal to mainstream music interests, styles, and forms and are
marketed to as many clubbers as possible. These parties are primarily focused on profit..
Underground refers to smaller parties held at smaller clubs for those loyal to or interested in music that is not commercially
available or played in conventional outlets.
Mash-ups are a new scene developing around a DJ mixing together different genres of music (reggae, HH, pop, house, rock).
Weeklies are named parties held on a particular day every week, usually from 9pm until 2am. They tend to draw smaller crowds
and are heavily populated by insiders or enthusiasts.
Monthlies are named parties held once a month–usually on a weekend and from 9pm until 2-3am. They tend to draw slightly
larger crowds, have more status, and are populated by scene enthusiasts and some “outsiders.”
Superstar one-offs are one-time events that often obtain special permits to run past normal bar hours. They feature a
commercially popular DJ or DJs and are held at commercial clubs to accommodate large, diverse crowds.
Drug and Alcohol Use by Scene

Alcohol and marijuana were most common in both scenes.

Ecstasy use reported in both scenes, more in EDM, more at
commercial events.

Respondents in both scenes reported “pre-gaming.”

Many respondents in both scenes reported daily marijuana use.

Alcohol use was reported as moderate or light - actual levels
exceeded this, particularly at commercial events.
Types of Property Crime Committed and
Experienced by HH and EDM Respondents

Most common is theft.


Second most common - minor acts of vandalism.



Stealing jackets and other personal affects (bags, purses, clothing).
Graffiti most common.
Breaking bottles in our outside of the club.
Third - major acts of vandalism.


Vehicle windows smashed, etc.
Vehicles broken into, personal affects stolen, etc.
EDM and HH Scene Comparison: Theft

EDM scene respondents reported more acts of theft in all
categories compared to HH scene respondents.
EDM Scene: Offended
Count: 4 of 21
Sex: 3 male, 1 female
HH Scene: Offended
Count: 1 of 30
Sex: 1 female
EDM Scene: Witnessed
Count: 10 of 21
Sex: 7 male, 3 female
HH Scene: Witnessed
Count: 8 of 30
Sex: 6 male, 2 female
EDM Scene: Victimized
Count: 12 of 21
Sex: 8 male, 4 female
HH Scene: Victimized
Count: 7 of 30
Sex: 5 male, 2 female
EDM and HH Scene Comparison: Minor vandalism

Roughly same # of respondents in both HH and EDM scenes
reported witnessing and committing acts of graffiti.
EDM Scene: Offended (Graffiti)
Count: 4 of 21
Sex: 4 male
HH Scene: Offended (Graffiti)
Count: 7 of 30
Sex: 7 male
EDM Scene: Witnessed (Graffiti)
Count: 12 of 21
Sex: 8 male, 4 female
HH Scene: Witnessed (Graffiti)
Count: 9 of 30
Sex: 6 male, 3 female
EDM Scene: Other Minor Vandalism
None
HH Scene: Other (Offend/Witnessed)
Count: 3 of 30
Sex: 1 male, 1 female (1 fem witnessed)
EDM and HH Scene Comparison: Major vandalism

All reports in both EDM and HH scenes are vehicular-related.

EDM scene respondents reported experiencing and witnessing a
greater # of incidents.
EDM Scene: Witnessed
Count: 4 of 21
Sex: 2 male, 2 female
HH Scene: Witnessed
Count: 2 of 30
Sex: 2 male.
EDM Scene: Victimized
Count: 3 of 21
Sex: 2 male, 1 female
HH Scene: Victimized
None
ADC at EDM /HH Club Events: Scene Type v.
Event Type

Scene type (HH v. EDM) less important than event type
(commercial v. underground) in ADC relationship.

Most theft and minor vandalism reported at commercial events.

Impersonal atmosphere of commercial events contributes to
this.

Commercial events encourage excessive alcohol consumption.


Contributes to victim precipitation.
Contributes to minor vandalism such as breaking bottles, etc.
ADC at EDM / HH Club Events: Alternative Norms

Theft considered “par for the course.”



Graffiti as part of the scene culture.


Respondents stress personal responsibility.
Victims of theft become jaded, become offenders.
Most do not regard “tagging” as a crime, but rather as art.
Major Vandalism also considered “par for the course.”


Emphasis on outside factors (bad neighborhood).
Again, respondents stress personal responsibility.
ADC at EDM / HH Club Events: The Club Itself

Characteristics of venue also impact the ADC relationship.

The role of club security impacts the relationship.

Physical layout of the club does as well.



Theft more common in clubs with multiple rooms / floors.
Routine activities (lack of guardianship).
Club location (neighborhood).


Car vandalism a result of clubs located in or near bad neighborhoods.
Alternative norms are also apparent in neighborhoods.
Conclusions

Future research examining the ADC connection in nightclub
scenes should focus on the interplay between

Pharmacological factors


Scene-specific factors




Role of drug and alcohol use in victim precipitation
Role of security
Alternative norms
Promotion of alcohol /acceptance of drug use
Structural factors


Neighborhoods
Physical layout of the venue