The Impact of Football Games on Crime: A Routine Activity Approach

Abstract

Routine activities theory (Cohen and Felson, 1979) suggests a change in people's routine activities can contribute to a change in crime rates. This thesis aims to apply routine activities theory to examine the impact of football games on crime by focusing on how a change of football fans' routine activities can affect a change in crime at the aggregate level. Using a quasi experimental design, the study paired the 76 game days with the 76 comparable non-game days. Two analytical strategies were applied, including a binomial test and a t test. The results of the study suggest that football games have some impact on crime. On average, there are small increases in burglary and auto theft and a moderate increase in car prowl (theft of auto) on a game day.