CDC Links Drop in Buckhead Crime to Closure of Bars

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The Centers for Disease Control have released a report which claims that the area’s significant decrease in violent crime from levels observed in the early 2000s was greatly assisted by the drop in late-night bars.

According to WSB-TV, the report cited Buckhead’s reputation as a place to party, with bars staying open as late as 5 a.m., as a major source of criminal activity during the late 1990s and early 2000s. The CDC says the abundance of liquor made for an unsafe neighborhood, with a litany of violent offenses reported.

Since the late-night bars have closed, the area has seen a 200 percent drop in crime, the report says.

Former mayor and Buckhead Coalition founder Sam Massell says that the increased police presence and response from residents who were tired of the rampant crime also made a big impact in the crime rates.

Similar drops in late-night bars were observed in other parts of the city, but those areas did not see a large decrease in violent crime, WSB-TV reports.