From AVN:
Experts Tell City that Adult Stores Don’t Cause Crime
By: Carlos MartinezMANCHESTER, Conn. – Despite some complaints to the contrary, experts in this small hamlet told city officials that adult stores don’t cause crime.
Lori Sudderth, associate professor of Qunniepac University with a doctorate in sociology, told the Manchester Board of Directors that there is no evidence to show that pornography impacts crime or causes “sexually aggressive behavior,†the Connecticut Journal Inquirer reported this week.
She said sexually aggressive behavior is caused by a number of factors, but none are related to pornography. She cited a number of studies, including the President’s Commission on Obscenity which concluded in 1970 that exposure to erotic material did not lead to an increase in criminal behavior.
At issue is a controversial proposal that would bring the adult novelty store, Having Very Intimate Pleasure, to a commercial building in town. Some residents are opposed to the plan, citing a potential increase in crime.
But Clinton Sanders, deviant behavior expert from the University of Connecticut, said there is little evidence to show a link between increased crime and adult stores. Sanders argued that pornography opponents use the argument because they see porn as dirty and deviant.
City officials noted that the Amazing Superstore, which opened in the area in 1998, has not generated any additional crime to the community despite opposition by some locals.
Police Capt. Marc Montminy told the board that pool halls and bars require more attention from police than adult shops, noting that he has not seen any links between increased crime and the shops.
Montminy reported that the Amazing Superstore generated 32 police calls since 2003, of which nine were false alarms, five were suspicious activity calls and four were parking lot incidents.
By comparison, Hollywood Video, which is a similar sized business, had 61 police calls during the same period, though none were considered major incidents.