1515thth Annual Problem-Oriented Annual Problem-Oriented Policing ConferencePolicing Conference

Charlotte, North CarolinaCharlotte, North Carolina

October 28, 2004 to October 30, 2004October 28, 2004 to October 30, 2004

Robberies at Convenience Robberies at Convenience Stores, Gas Stations and Fast Stores, Gas Stations and Fast

Food Restaurants:Food Restaurants:

Analyzing Stop and RobsAnalyzing Stop and Robs

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PresentersPresenters

Jay W. Malcan, Ph.D.Jay W. Malcan, Ph.D.

– Director, Community Policing Training Director, Community Policing Training Richmond Police DepartmentRichmond Police Department

– Dean, School of Arts & SciencesDean, School of Arts & SciencesVirginia Union UniversityVirginia Union University

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PresentersPresenters

Brad KochBrad Koch

– Homicide DetectiveHomicide DetectiveCharlotte-Mecklenburg Police DepartmentCharlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

A Macro Analysis of Robberies at A Macro Analysis of Robberies at Convenience StoresConvenience Stores

Gas StationsGas StationsFast Food RestaurantsFast Food Restaurants

Jay W. Malcan, Ph.D. Jay W. Malcan, Ph.D.

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Four Dimensions of VictimizationFour Dimensions of VictimizationRisk of Interest to UsRisk of Interest to Us

Criminological TheoryCriminological Theory

Public PolicyPublic Policy

Research & Crime AnalysisResearch & Crime Analysis

Crime Prevention PracticesCrime Prevention Practices

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Criminological TheoryCriminological Theory

CPTED – C. Ray JefferyCPTED – C. Ray Jeffery

Broken Windows – Kelling & WilsonBroken Windows – Kelling & Wilson

Routine Activities – Ron ClarkeRoutine Activities – Ron Clarke

Hot Spots – Larry ShermanHot Spots – Larry Sherman

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Routine ActivitiesRoutine Activities

Changes in the routine activities of our daily Changes in the routine activities of our daily life can increase or decrease the risk of life can increase or decrease the risk of

criminal victimization.criminal victimization.

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Public PolicyPublic Policy

How do routine activitiesHow do routine activities

shaped by public policyshaped by public policy

impact patterns of victimizationimpact patterns of victimization

at specific locations?at specific locations?

How Does Public Policy How Does Public Policy Shape Crime?Shape Crime?

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How Does Public Policy How Does Public Policy Shape Crime?Shape Crime?

Crime in liquor stores – Virginia vs. D.C.?Crime in liquor stores – Virginia vs. D.C.?

Crime at gas stations – Virginia vs. N.J.?Crime at gas stations – Virginia vs. N.J.?

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How Does Public Policy How Does Public Policy Shape Crime in Virginia?Shape Crime in Virginia?

Liquor StoresLiquor StoresState Stores vs. Private StoresState Stores vs. Private Stores

Gas StationsGas StationsSelf-Service Gas vs. Full Service GasSelf-Service Gas vs. Full Service Gas

Research & Crime AnalysisResearch & Crime Analysis

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ShermanSherman

Hot Spots of Predatory Crime: Routine Hot Spots of Predatory Crime: Routine Activities and the Criminology of PlaceActivities and the Criminology of Place

Research in MinneapolisResearch in Minneapolis

Police Calls for ServicePolice Calls for Service

3% of places account for 50% of all calls3% of places account for 50% of all calls

2.2% of places account for 2.2% of places account for ALLALL robberies robberies

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Virginia Crime CommissionVirginia Crime Commission

Spring 1989Spring 1989

Testimony by Caruthers SistersTestimony by Caruthers Sisters

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Study MandateStudy Mandate

Are Convenience Stores an Are Convenience Stores an

““At Risk Business” ?At Risk Business” ?

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Questions To Be AnsweredQuestions To Be Answered

Had other people around the country Had other people around the country looked at convenience store crime ?looked at convenience store crime ?

Was the convenience store problem in Was the convenience store problem in Virginia the same as across the country ?Virginia the same as across the country ?

1919

Considerable Research on Considerable Research on Convenience Store CrimeConvenience Store Crime

Crow & BullCrow & Bull

HunterHunter

JefferyJeffery

Gainseville / Swanson, Clifton, CallahanGainseville / Swanson, Clifton, Callahan

Murdaugh & GilmoreMurdaugh & Gilmore

Research Indicated that Research Indicated that Convenience Stores are an Convenience Stores are an

‘At Risk Business’‘At Risk Business’

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1988 – 1989 DCJS Statewide 1988 – 1989 DCJS Statewide Survey FoundSurvey Found

69% of violent events in convenience 69% of violent events in convenience stores occurred during night time hours of stores occurred during night time hours of operation (9PM – 5 AM)operation (9PM – 5 AM)

76% of violent events involved clerks 76% of violent events involved clerks working aloneworking alone

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63 % of lone clerks involved in events 63 % of lone clerks involved in events were womenwere women

65 % of violent events clustered in 10 65 % of violent events clustered in 10 localitieslocalities

2525

1988 – 89 DCJS Survey1988 – 89 DCJS Survey

54 % of all convenience store robberies in54 % of all convenience store robberies in

Virginia (N=469) involved only 169 storesVirginia (N=469) involved only 169 stores

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NACS & DCJS StudiesNACS & DCJS Studies

80 % of stores don’t experience a violent 80 % of stores don’t experience a violent crime in 2 yearscrime in 2 years

20% experience a violent event in 2 year 20% experience a violent event in 2 year periodperiod

7 % experience multiple events in 2 year 7 % experience multiple events in 2 year periodperiod

Multiple Violent Events at One Multiple Violent Events at One Location (Hot Spot)Location (Hot Spot)

ARE NOT RANDOM !ARE NOT RANDOM !

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Importance of RobberiesImportance of Robberies

Zimring (1986)Zimring (1986)

1 homicide occurs for every 100 robberies 1 homicide occurs for every 100 robberies with a firearmwith a firearm

1 : 100 ratio1 : 100 ratio

Source: Victim Injury and Death in Urban Robbery: A Chicago StudySource: Victim Injury and Death in Urban Robbery: A Chicago Study

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Two DCJS Studies Led to Two DCJS Studies Led to Study with National Institute Study with National Institute for Occupational Safety & for Occupational Safety &

Health (NIOSH)Health (NIOSH)

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NIOSH Virginia StudyNIOSH Virginia Study

14 cities & counties14 cities & counties

438 robberies438 robberies

Site visits to robbed store & 3 control Site visits to robbed store & 3 control storesstores

3333

3434

3535

3636

2003 Crimes By Location2003 Crimes By Location

LocationLocation RobberyRobbery HomicideHomicide

Gas Station 178Gas Station 178 00

Liquor StoreLiquor Store 1 1 00

C-StoreC-Store 480480 77

SOURCE: 2003 Crime in VirginiaSOURCE: 2003 Crime in Virginia

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Virginia Convenience StoreVirginia Convenience Store

Robberies:Robberies:1983 = 4831983 = 4831991 = 7241991 = 7241995 = 4081995 = 4081999 = 2601999 = 2602003 = 4802003 = 480

SOURCE: 1983 - 2003 Crime in VirginiaSOURCE: 1983 - 2003 Crime in Virginia

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Rugala (FBI)Rugala (FBI)

““Majority of workplace homicide is Majority of workplace homicide is

result of robbery.”result of robbery.”

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Virginia Convenience StoresVirginia Convenience Stores

HOMICIDESHOMICIDES

2002 = 42002 = 4 2003 = 72003 = 7

SOURCE: 2002 & 2003 Crime in VirginiaSOURCE: 2002 & 2003 Crime in Virginia

4040

Importance of RobberiesImportance of Robberies

Zimring (1986)Zimring (1986)

1 homicide occurs for every 100 robberies 1 homicide occurs for every 100 robberies with a firearmwith a firearm

1 : 100 ratio1 : 100 ratio

Source: Victim Injury and Death in Urban Robbery: A Chicago StudySource: Victim Injury and Death in Urban Robbery: A Chicago Study

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Crime Prevention PracticeCrime Prevention Practice

TRAININGTRAINING

CPTEDCPTED

BROKEN WINDOWSBROKEN WINDOWS

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DCJS / NIOSH StudyDCJS / NIOSH StudySherri Johnson – VCU ThesisSherri Johnson – VCU Thesis

Most powerful predictors of convenience Most powerful predictors of convenience stores with multiple violent crimesstores with multiple violent crimes

LitterLitter

GraffitiGraffiti

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BuergerBuerger

The Crime Prevention Casebook: The Crime Prevention Casebook: Securing High Crime LocationsSecuring High Crime Locations

About high call for service locations in About high call for service locations in MinneapolisMinneapolis

Great example of blending crime Great example of blending crime prevention, crime analysis & problem-prevention, crime analysis & problem-oriented policing to deal with problem oriented policing to deal with problem locationslocations

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Real Opportunity Is: Real Opportunity Is: Identify Your Hotspots!Identify Your Hotspots!

Use your crime analysisUse your crime analysis

Use your own statisticsUse your own statistics

Use your intuitionUse your intuition

A Local Analysis of Robberies at A Local Analysis of Robberies at Convenience StoresConvenience Stores

Gas Stations Gas Stations Fast Food RestaurantsFast Food Restaurants

Brad Koch Brad Koch

4646

Routine Activities TheoryRoutine Activities Theory

Predatory crime occurs when three things Predatory crime occurs when three things come together in time and space:come together in time and space:

Motivated OffenderMotivated Offender

Suitable TargetSuitable Target

Absence of Capable GuardiansAbsence of Capable Guardians

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Routine Activities TheoryRoutine Activities Theory

Businesses can reduce their risks of Businesses can reduce their risks of victimization by becomingvictimization by becoming

less suitable targetsless suitable targets

and/or and/or

increased levels of guardianship.increased levels of guardianship.

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Becoming Less Suitable TargetsBecoming Less Suitable Targets

Business Operation CharacteristicsBusiness Operation CharacteristicsFewer days of operation Fewer days of operation

Fewer hours of operationFewer hours of operation

Physical Environment CharacteristicsPhysical Environment CharacteristicsLow amount of cash in register Low amount of cash in register

ATM on premisesATM on premises

Target Hardening DevicesTarget Hardening DevicesDrop safe with signDrop safe with sign

AlarmAlarm

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Increasing GuardianshipIncreasing Guardianship

Business Operation CharacteristicsBusiness Operation CharacteristicsIncreased number of employees on 3Increased number of employees on 3rdrd shift shift

Physical Environment CharacteristicsPhysical Environment CharacteristicsUnobstructed windows Unobstructed windows

Public waiting areaPublic waiting area

Target Hardening DevicesTarget Hardening DevicesVideo cameras Video cameras

Security guard Security guard

Police officer on sitePolice officer on site

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BackgroundBackground

Charlotte, North Carolina is located in Charlotte, North Carolina is located in Mecklenburg CountyMecklenburg County– Over 600,000 live in city of CharlotteOver 600,000 live in city of Charlotte– Over 800,000 live in Mecklenburg CountyOver 800,000 live in Mecklenburg County– Population grows by approximately 3% each Population grows by approximately 3% each

yearyear– Mecklenburg County has 7 police agenciesMecklenburg County has 7 police agencies– Charlotte ranks as the 21Charlotte ranks as the 21stst largest city largest city

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BackgroundBackground

Study examined robberies in CMPD Study examined robberies in CMPD jurisdiction in 2001 at all:jurisdiction in 2001 at all:

convenience storesconvenience stores

gas stations gas stations

fast food restaurantsfast food restaurants

Two surveys were taken at all qualifying Two surveys were taken at all qualifying businessesbusinesses

Business Practice SurveyBusiness Practice Survey

Physical Security SurveyPhysical Security Survey

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BackgroundBackground

Completed surveys at 644 businessesCompleted surveys at 644 businesses

A regression analysis was completed that A regression analysis was completed that included all 644 businessesincluded all 644 businesses

Regression analysis examined the Regression analysis examined the relationship between robbery and several relationship between robbery and several different characteristicsdifferent characteristics

5353

BackgroundBackground

Different characteristics includedDifferent characteristics includedBusiness operation characteristicsBusiness operation characteristics

Physical environment characteristics Physical environment characteristics

Target hardening devicesTarget hardening devices

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SurveysSurveys

Two surveys were completed at each Two surveys were completed at each qualifying business:qualifying business:

Business Practice SurveyBusiness Practice Survey

Physical Security SurveyPhysical Security Survey

A copy of each survey is included in the A copy of each survey is included in the information packetinformation packet

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SurveysSurveys

Physical Security SurveyPhysical Security SurveySimilar to a CPTED (Crime Prevention Similar to a CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) SurveyThrough Environmental Design) Survey

Business Practice SurveyBusiness Practice SurveyQuestions were linear in nature Questions were linear in nature

Attempted to provide quantitative answers Attempted to provide quantitative answers to questionsto questions

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AnalysisAnalysis

Dependent variable was stores that were Dependent variable was stores that were the victim of a robbery in 2001the victim of a robbery in 2001

644 business establishments surveyed644 business establishments surveyed224 (34.8%) experienced a robbery in 2001224 (34.8%) experienced a robbery in 2001

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Partial List of Independent VariablesPartial List of Independent Variables

Hours of OperationHours of Operation

Days of OperationDays of Operation

Policy about 3Policy about 3rdrd Shift Employees Shift Employees

Window Obstruction LevelsWindow Obstruction Levels

Drive Through WindowDrive Through Window

ATM on PremisesATM on Premises

Public RestroomsPublic Restrooms

Public TelephonePublic Telephone

Public TransportationPublic Transportation

Interior Waiting AreaInterior Waiting Area

Robbery Alarm SystemRobbery Alarm System

Video Cameras PresentVideo Cameras Present

Video Monitors in ViewVideo Monitors in View

Height MarkersHeight Markers

Amount of Cash in RegisterAmount of Cash in Register

Signs Posted About CashSigns Posted About Cash

Drop SafesDrop Safes

Signs Posted About Drop SafesSigns Posted About Drop Safes

Type of Security PersonnelType of Security Personnel

Prior Victimization Prior Victimization

5858

FindingsFindings

Factors associated with a significantly Factors associated with a significantly LOWER likelihood of being robbed:LOWER likelihood of being robbed:

Police Officer as security personnelPolice Officer as security personnel

ATM on the premisesATM on the premises

Why ATM’s?Why ATM’s?Not due to additional security featuresNot due to additional security features

Not due to “safe” neighborhoodsNot due to “safe” neighborhoods

5959

FindingsFindings

Factors associated with a significantly Factors associated with a significantly HIGHER likelihood of being robbed:HIGHER likelihood of being robbed:

Being open 24 hours a dayBeing open 24 hours a day

Being located near public transportationBeing located near public transportation

Having a drop safe Having a drop safe but nobut no drop safe sign drop safe sign

Having been robbed in the past yearHaving been robbed in the past year

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FindingsFindings

The best predictor of current robbery The best predictor of current robbery victimization is victimization is PASTPAST robbery victimization robbery victimization

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FindingsFindings

Selected factors that are NOT associated Selected factors that are NOT associated with the likelihood of being robbed:with the likelihood of being robbed:

Policy regarding two or more employeesPolicy regarding two or more employees

Alarm system presentAlarm system present

Video cameras presentVideo cameras present

Video monitors in plain view of customersVideo monitors in plain view of customers

Security personnel other than Police Security personnel other than Police OfficersOfficers

6262

Other Factors That Other Factors That May Influence RobberyMay Influence Robbery

Neighborhood CharacteristicsNeighborhood CharacteristicsGender compositionGender composition

Racial compositionRacial composition

Age compositionAge composition

Economic indicatorsEconomic indicators

Prior Victimization Experiences Prior Victimization Experiences Number of prior robberies occurring at the Number of prior robberies occurring at the establishmentestablishment

6363

Next StepsNext Steps

Look at each type of business Look at each type of business establishment separately:establishment separately:

Fast foodFast food

Convenience store Convenience store

Gas stationGas station

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Next StepsNext Steps

Issues:Issues:How best to treat “combination” How best to treat “combination” establishments (e.g., fast food/gas station)establishments (e.g., fast food/gas station)

Small number of certain establishment Small number of certain establishment types (e.g., gas station only)types (e.g., gas station only)

Missing dataMissing data

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Contact InformationContact Information

Jay MalcanJay MalcanDirector of Community Director of Community

Policing TrainingPolicing Training

Richmond Police AcademyRichmond Police Academy

1202 W. Graham Road1202 W. Graham Road

Richmond, VA 23220Richmond, VA 23220

(804) 646-6119 work(804) 646-6119 work

jmalcan@ci.richmond.va.usjmalcan@ci.richmond.va.us

Brad KochBrad KochCharlotte-Mecklenburg PDCharlotte-Mecklenburg PD

601 East Trade Street601 East Trade Street

Charlotte, NC 28202Charlotte, NC 28202

704-353-1055 work704-353-1055 work

704-336-5713 fax704-336-5713 faxbkoch@cmpd.orgbkoch@cmpd.org