Alcohol is not to blame for violent actions

Priscilla Ferreyra/ Contributing Writer

During Memorial Day Weekend at Miami Beach this year, Homestead resident, Ladarian Tyrell Phillips, 30, lost his life over a parking space. Two days after, Mayor Philip Levine held an emergency press conference where he stated stated that he is reconsidering an old proposal that bans the sale of alcohol after 2 a.m. and according to the Miami Herald, Levine said his measures would “clean up” Ocean Drive.

With such holidays attracting certain crowds of people to Miami Beach, things are sure to get a little rowdy after hours. However, it’s wrong to generalize and blame crime on alcohol; the problem lies with the people that consume the alcohol. In fact, crime can’t be stopped by putting an end to alcohol sales at a certain time.

Ending alcohol sales at 2 a.m. will reduce tourism. The freedom of drinking into later hours of the night are a key factor in Miami Beach’s popularity as a tourist attraction and vacation destination.

Miami Beach is home to many different types of people and attracts many different types people. It’s a great attraction to college students like us, so it’s important to find a balance and be able to cater to them all.

But local businesses also deserve consideration, as they will be the ones to suffer the most if this ban is put into place. Many objected, saying their clubs and bars are not to blame for the violence that occurs and therefore shouldn’t be punished, according to The Miami Herald. There would be revenue loss, and while there are private businesses, it’s the local businesses that generate taxes that help feed the city.

Alcohol may seem like the culprit to eliminate, but it is not responsible for the actions of people. Alcohol does not impair the ability to control a person’s actions. People are responsible for their actions.

Crime is not something we can eradicate overnight. Instead, we need pinpoint the actual cause of crime and utilize our resources to keep it from occurring often.

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The opinions presented within this page do not represent the views of Panther Press Editorial Board. These views are separate from editorials and reflect individual perspectives of contributing writers and/or members of the University community.

Photo taken from Flickr.