Have You Been Wal-Mart-ized Yet?

Many rural communities and small towns find the presence of a Wal-Mart store to be a mixed blessing. The stores provide a huge boost in tax revenue, donations to local organizations, and improvements to roads and infrastructure. However, the huge, well lit, 24 hour stores also act as a magnet for crime. A store in Harrisville, UT frequently draws methamphetamine users because it is the only store in the area open late at night. Many DUIs, shoplifting arrests, and traffic accidents, happen on Wal-Mart property. Towns often have to increase the size of their police force and the increased tax revenues from the store are sometimes not enough to cover the expansion.

Thanks to Peter Christensen