DAs get in the game
THE ABILITY of Governor Patrick to persuade top law enforcement officials that casinos will not lead to crime waves will say a lot about how successful he will be in his mission to expand legalized gambling in Massachusetts. If Patrick can't beat back concerns about spikes in crime, the odds grow long that he can alleviate public concerns about more complex issues, such as pathological gambling.
There is no dearth of dueling studies on the causal links between casinos and crime. But the consensus of most independent studies, such as a 2005 report done for the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston, is that "casinos are not associated with general increases in crime rates." It is not unusual to see the raw number of crimes rise after a casino is built, but that might be expected with any new venture that draws tens of thousands of visitors, tourists, and employees. It hardly matters if a site is offering slot machines or kiddie rides. But there is little convincing evidence that destination casinos cause the ratio of crimes to increase relative to the population. In fact, some studies suggest that the addition of decent-paying casino jobs and the drop in unemployment lead to lower crime rates in neighboring communities.
Seven members of the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association met with Patrick yesterday to air their concerns about how casinos might affect public safety. Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett stressed that the group has not taken a formal position on Patrick's plan to license three casinos around the state. But Blodgett says the DAs want to "accelerate the discussion" about what they fear could be increases in narcotics, prostitution, property crimes, petty theft, and stolen vehicles.
In his effort to keep his casino deliberations under wraps, Patrick and his aides did not consult with the state's district attorneys or share any data with them during the months of study that led to the administration's casino plan. So the governor has only himself to blame if the DAs feel slighted. Now, at least, the DAs have a seat at the table. Patrick should expect similar reactions from medical and social service advocates who have profound fears about an increase in compulsive gambling, bankruptcies, and family disruption.Strong regulations and thorough background checks should address most of the DAs' concerns about white-collar crime. Well-trained security personnel and camera surveillance work well against both cheaters and occasional predators. The public, meanwhile, should make a distinction between on-site and off-site crime. And Patrick should look carefully at studies suggesting that casinos in urban areas, including Biloxi, Miss., and Peoria, Ill., may be more prone to trouble. But when it comes to resort casinos in remote locations, concerns about crime should not be a deal-breaker.
