The Impact of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games on Crime in Vancouver

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. In this article, we examine the impact of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games on assault, theft, mischief, and prostitution in Vancouver neighbourhoods. Overall, there is no evidence to support the claim that the Olympic Games affected all crime types and in all places. However, we do find increases in assault that relate to the Olympic Games in a few key neighbourhoods. 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.