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PHOENIX, ARIZONA <br /> May 25, 1979 <br /> The study examined crime statistics for 1978, comparing areas that have sexually <br /> oriented businesses with those that do not. <br /> The results show a marked increase in sex offenses in neighborhoods with sexually <br /> oriented businesses, and increases in property and violent crimes as well. <br /> Three study areas (near locations of sexually oriented businesses) and three control <br /> areas (with no sexually oriented businesses) were selected. The study and control areas were <br /> paired according to the number of residents, median family income, percentage of non-white <br /> population, median age of population, percentage of dwelling units built since 1950, and <br /> percentage of acreage used for residential and non-residential purposes. <br /> Three categories of criminal activity were included in the study: property crimes <br /> (burglary, larceny, auto theft), violent crimes (rape, murder, robbery, assault), and sex crimes <br /> (rape, indecent exposure, lewd and lascivious behavior, child molestation). <br /> On average, the number of sex offenses was 506 percent greater in neighborhoods <br /> where sexually oriented businesses were located. In one of the neighborhoods the number was <br /> 1,000 percent above the corresponding control area. Of the sex offenses, indecent exposure <br /> was the most common offense and the largest contributor to the increase of crimes in areas <br /> where sexually oriented businesses were located. Even without considering the crime of <br /> indecent exposure the number of other sex crimes, such as rape, lewd and lascivious behavior, <br /> and child molestation, was 132 percent greater than in control areas without sexually oriented <br /> businesses. <br /> On average, the number of property crimes was 43 percent greater in neighborhoods <br /> where sexually oriented businesses were located, and the number of violent crimes was 4 <br /> percent higher in those areas. <br /> The Phoenix ordinance requires sexually oriented businesses to locate at least 1,000 <br /> feet from other sexually oriented businesses and 500 feet from schools or residential zones. <br /> Approval by the City Council and area residents can waive the 500 foot requirement. <br /> A petition signed by 51 percent of the residents in the 500 foot radius who do not object <br /> must be filed and be verified by the Planning Director. <br /> WHITTIER, CALIFORNIA <br /> 7 <br /> 000020 <br />