Another NFL season gets underway tomorrow, and it also means that local police are ready for another year of helping keep the public safe on game days in and around U.S. Bank Stadium. Football games can be highly emotional, leading to confrontations between opposing fans, but the large gatherings also provide an opportunity for other types of lawbreakers. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at the landscape of crime on game days.
Sports And Crime Rates
In a recent study called “Prime Time for Crime? A Multi-City Analysis of Sporting Events, Sports Venues, and Crime,” researchers explored how major sporting events shape crime in surrounding areas. They took a closer look at crime data from 21 U.S. cities between 2015 and 2023 to see how game-day crowds influenced crime patterns around the stadium. They uncovered that not all crime follows the same playbook. For starters, researchers found that:
- Larceny (theft) crimes tended to spike before and after a game, as crowds begin to gather and disperse.
- Assaults are more common during a game and shortly after they have concluded, when alcohol consumption and emotional intensity are at their highest.
“Sporting events create predictable shifts in routine activity.” said study lead author Travis Carter, Ph.D., University of Nebraska-Omaha School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. “When large crowds gather, opportunities for both property crime and interpersonal violence increase—but not in the same way or at the same time.”
The findings add to what we already know about how major sporting events can influence crime rates. Previously we explored how sports results, particularly unexpected losses, can lead to higher rates of domestic violence, but now we can add theft and assault to the mix.
If you’re heading downtown to catch a Gophers or Vikings game this year, be aware that you’re heading to a potentially emotionally-charged event, and acknowledge the heightened crime risk. Keep your alcohol consumption in check, lock your vehicle and don’t pick fights with other fans. Of course, if something spirals and you or someone you know ends up being arrested, know that we’re here for you. Give Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm a call today and we can help sort out your criminal charges. For more information, or to set up a free case evaluation, give our team a call today at (952) 224-2277.
