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Mayor Dave Ross. We Are Here. You Are Here. Superior, Wisconsin. Population 27,268 58 sworn officers 47 square miles of City Surrounded by 96 miles of shoreline Sits on the largest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Superior Industrial, blue collar town Reputation as a party town.
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We Are Here You Are Here
Superior, Wisconsin • Population 27,268 • 58 sworn officers • 47 square miles of City • Surrounded by 96 miles of shoreline • Sits on the largest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Superior • Industrial, blue collar town • Reputation as a party town
Facts • Superior has had a high crime rate and experienced increases in violent crime, property crime and financial crime. • Superior’s crime rate by population has been in the top ten over the last ten years in the state of WI. • Alcohol abuse affects our crime rate
Superior has 77 liquor licenses and 25 Class A (beer only) licenses -- one of the highest bar per capita communities in Wisconsin.
Superior’s old north end bar district, home of many major liquor establishments Alcohol-Related Incidents 2003 208 Assaults 495 Disorderly Conducts 238 Liquor Law Violations
The Superior P.D. averages nearly 300 ‘Operating While Intoxicated’ (OWI) arrests per year
Big Contributing Factors • Metropolitan area • Border Community • Port City • Too many large liquor only bars in the same geographic area • Party town reputation • College community (5 in Twin Ports area)
In 2003, there was an increase in community and bar violence • 12 stabbings, many in bar district • Several shootings in the bars • Many assaults and substantial battery cases • Two controversial deaths of young adults in our bar district, one in a fight and one a drug overdose
Redesigned Our Approach to Reducing Bar Violence • Met with tavern league - Laid out problems – Said bar owners needed to be more responsible • Had special group of officers work on problem bar issues, also used foot, bike, and K-9 patrol • Trained officers to meet with bars and do regular alcohol issue inspections for licensing, underage drinking, and occupancy level violations • Enforced violations involving public consumption; mutual combatants fighting (ordinance violation); disorderly conduct; urinating in public; and littering
Strong Support From Mayor & City Hall Changed philosophy about liquor licenses: - A new “best use, best location” strategy for licenses • Example: Chinese Restaurant (The Golden Inn) - Took back liquor licenses from mismanaged bars - Purchased bars & tear them down for economic development & to reduce bar concentration - Supported police department efforts and staffing • Met with the media to ensure accurate reporting of facts and problems
Progress 3 Years Later • The City’s image/reputation is improving • New developments in the north end • Fewer calls for service to bars • Assaults and weapon calls down at bars • City’s crime rate has dropped to 14th in the State by population. We’re out of the top ten for the first time in over ten years.