Abstract
Scholars have recently reformulated the moral panic framework (Goode and Ben-Yehuda Citation1994, Citation2009). We employ this new framework in an evaluation of Gainesville, Florida's adoption of the anti-rave law. Our findings suggest that both individuals and groups were vital in the construction of an interest group model moral panic that led to the adoption of this law. Although researchers have utilized the moral panic framework in analyzing many social and legal changes over the past 40 years, it has also garnered much criticism. In an effort to further advance the framework, we provide several modifications to Goode and Ben-Yehuda's (Citation2009) most recent reconceptualization and recommendations for future moral panic research.
Notes
1Numerous control measures have been implemented over centuries; examples include declarations of heresy and legislation such as the Mann Act, changes in sentences for muggings in London, numerous drug laws, and American prohibition of alcohol. In our case study, Gainesville adopted the anti-rave legislation.
2Gainesville City Commission Public Safety Committee, Audio Tape, July 17, 1997.
3Gainesville City Commission Meeting, Videotape, August 11, 1997.
4Gainesville City Commission Meeting, Videotape, September 9, 1997.
5Gainesville City Commission Meeting, Videotape, July 26, 1999.
6Florida Statute Chapter 119.01 made it policy that all Florida state, county, and municipal agencies make all agency records open for personal inspection and copy by any individual. Each agency has the duty to provide access to public records.
7Gainesville City Commission Meeting, Videotape, July 12, 1999; Debbie Martinez to City Commission, City Commission Correspondence Files, July 13, 1999.
8Gainesville City Commission Meeting, Videotape, July 26, 1999.
9Rave Committee minutes, August, 3, 1999.
10Gainesville City Commission Meeting, Videotape, August 11, 1997.
11Gainesville City Commission Meeting, Videotape, August 23, 1999.
12Gainesville City Commission Meeting Tape, September 13, 1999.
13Gainesville City Commission Meeting Tape, September 13, 1999.
14Gainesville City Commission Meeting, Videotape, July 26, 1999.
15Rave Committee Meeting August 17, 1999, Audio Tape.
16Other states and locales had laws designed to regulate bar promotions and happy hours, but these laws were not discussed in any detail during Gainesville's rave debate.
17Gainesville City Commission Meeting, Videotape, July 12, 1999.
18Gainesville City Commission Meeting, Videotape, August 23, 1999.
19Gainesville City Commission Meeting, Videotape, July 12, 1999.
20For example, see Gainesville City Commission Meeting, Videotape, July 12, 1999.
21Gainesville City Commission Meeting, Videotape, July 12, 1999.
22A GPD memo from December 1999 states that the origin of this figure is unknown, but the information can be located in the “RAVE Operation Plan compiled by Colonel Charles C. Hall at the Florida Office of Drug Control Policy.” Memo From: Lt Ray Weaver, To: Chief Norman Botsford, Subject: Crime Data and Downtown December 2, 1999.
23Rave Committee meeting notes, August 3, 1999.
24Rave Committee meeting notes, August 3, 1999; Rave Committee minutes August 12, 1999.
25Rave Committee meeting notes, August 3, 1999.
26Rave Committee minutes, August 12, 1999.
27Gainesville City Commission Meeting, Videotape, September 9, 1997.
28Gainesville City Commission Meeting, Videotape, July 26, 1999.
29Gainesville City Commission Meeting, Videotape, August 23, 1999.
30Alachua County School Board Meeting, Videotape, August 24, 1999.
31Alachua County School Board Meeting, Videotape, September 1, 1999.
32 Gainesville Sun article “Club Owner Speaks Out to Keep the Music Going.”
33 Gainesville Sun, August 7, 1999.
34Gainesville City Commission Public Safety Committee, Audio Tape, July 17, 1997.
35Memo from: Larrell Thomas to: Donald Shinnamon, Subject: Rave Bill, July 8, 1997.
36Gainesville City Commission Public Safety Committee, Audio Tape, July 17, 1997.
37Of the 185 letters, 80 were from nonstudent citizens, and 67 were from university students. The remainder either did not fall into one of these categories or the source could not be identified.
38Of the 252 letters, 24 either did not fall into one of these categories or the source could not be identified.
39The two weeks with no coverage coincide with the period after the 4 a.m. compromise was reached and prior to Delaney announcing his intentions to switch his vote.
40Printed September 17, 1999.
41One other article was considered highly one-sided and was printed on August 22. This editorial entitled “Where's the Outrage?” does not appear to have elicited similar reactions in terms of correspondence with city commissioners as the later pieces did.
42Memo: Rod Smith to Gainesville Mayor Paula DeLaney, August 20, 1999, GCC correspondence files.
43Commission correspondence files (1999).
44Rumors of harm (invented and believed) was the indicator added in their 2009 work.
45According to our framework, some perceived socially just and progressive movements could be classified as moral panics; this is acceptable. Some movements may rely on logic and well-reasoned arguments as well as emotionally charged phrases and the panic they create. The segments that fall within the moral panic concept are those that rely on fear and morality and are devoid of research-grounded information. The purpose of their arguments is to elicit an emotional response from society regardless of what the larger movement is trying to achieve or how other segments of the movement are attempting to advance their cause.