NCJ Number
138585
Date Published
1991
Length
41 pages
Annotation
Based on a literature review and a statewide survey of police agencies, this study examines the nature and scope of violent crime at convenience stores in Virginia and offers recommendations designed to increase the personal safety of convenience-store workers.
Abstract
The National Association of Convenience Stores defines convenience stores as "Retail stores that sell gasoline, fast foods, soft drinks, dairy products, beer, cigarettes, publications, grocery items, snacks, and non-food items and are usually open 7 days a week for longer hours than conventional supermarkets." Overall, there are 106 convenience store chains (two or more stores) operating an estimated 2,520 stores in Virginia as of December 1989, which was the end of the data-collection period for this study. The study found that convenience stores are the site of a sizeable number of violent crimes, both nationally, and in Virginia. During the period 1985 through 1990, robberies of convenience stores increased 32 percent nationally and 42 percent in Virginia. Additional research indicates that taxi cab drivers and convenience store workers have the greatest risk of becoming homicide victims in the workplace of all occupational groups in the United States. These risks appear disproportionately high for women. In addition to recommendations that pertain to information collection and research, this study recommends the mandating of a minimum set of security requirements for all convenience stores in Virginia (these requirements are outlined) and a set of enhanced security measures for those convenience stores where a violent crime has occurred (enhanced security measures are outlined). 25 references, appended copies of newspaper articles on convenience-store crime, and 7 figures