Crime Prevention in Practice: An Analysis of Pharmacy Robberies

This paper investigates the incidents of pharmacy robberies in British Columbia, Canada between 2001 and 2016. Using rational choice theory and situational crime prevention, this paper examines the sudden decrease in pharmacy robberies in fall 2015 and proposes theory-based implementations that may further reduce counts of pharmacy robbery throughout the province. This study also measures the effect of recent bylaw implementation enacted in September 2015, and the effect this may have had on reducing pharmacy robbery counts throughout British Columbia. Employing negative binomial regression models, counts of monthly pharmacy robberies are analyzed in four locations: Vancouver, Lower Mainland, Interior, and Vancouver Island. Statistically significant results are found to support the preventative measures enacted by the pharmacy bylaw implementations.