PLAINVILLE, Mass. (AP) – A yearlong study of crime data around Plainridge Park concludes there’s “no significant causal relationship” between a rise in certain crimes and police activity and the opening of Massachusetts’s first and so far only casino.
Christopher Bruce, a consultant for the state Gaming Commission, said Thursday the slots parlor and harness racing track in Plainville has led to crime and call figures “commensurate” with similarly-sized facilities.
The more than 50-page report acknowledges the casino has generated more calls dealing with accidents and other traffic issues. It also found an increase in credit card fraud, identity theft and “con games” is possibly related to the casino’s presence.
The study analyzed public safety data from Plainville, Attleboro, Mansfield, North Attleboro, Wrentham and state police from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
