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Impact of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games on Crime in Vancouver

NCJ Number
239260
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice Volume: 54 Issue: 3 Dated: July 2012 Pages: 333-361
Author(s)
Martin A. Andresen; William Tong
Date Published
July 2012
Length
29 pages
Annotation
This article examines the impact of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games on assault, theft, mischief, and prostitution in Vancouver neighborhoods.
Abstract
There is little research on exceptional events and crime. Yet exceptional events, such as natural disasters, worldwide political meetings, and international sporting competitions, affect the lifestyles and routines of large numbers of people. This article examines the impact of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games on assault, theft, mischief, and prostitution in Vancouver neighborhoods. Overall, there is no evidence to support the claim that the Olympic Games affected all crime types and in all places. However, the authors did find increases in assault that relate to the Olympic Games in a few key neighborhoods. As with previous research, it appears that the substantial increase in the number of security personnel (police, military, etc.) mitigated the potential increase in crime. (Published Abstract)