Drugstore robberies down in Toronto thanks to safes

Toronto pharmacies have seen a sharp drop in robberies after implementing a device that makes it harder for thieves to get quick access to drugs, police said Wednesday.

Toronto pharmacy robberies more than doubled from 49 in 2021 to 123 in 2022, raising concerns about violence against customers and employees. TPS Hold Up Inspector Joseph Mathis, speaking at a news conference Wednesday, said the trend continued until the delayed safes were introduced last year.

Safes are used to store drugs such as oxycodone, morphine and codeine. They have electronic timers that prevent them from being opened until a predetermined amount of time has passed after someone enters the compound. There is no mechanism to bypass the waiting period.

The TPS Hold Up Squad has begun working with local pharmacies and other external partners such as the Ontario College of Pharmacists and the Ontario Pharmacists Association to share tips and best practices for 2022 robbery prevention. These include investing in good surveillance cameras, panic alarms and safes that stay locked at all times.

The safes were mandated in March 2023, and police said Wednesday that all 4,900 community pharmacies in Ontario are using the special safes. At this time last year, there were 60 drugstore robberies in Toronto, and by 2024, their number will increase to 10.

“Since the beginning of the year, drugstore robberies have decreased by 82 percent compared to the corresponding period of 2023,” said Matys. “This achievement demonstrates the delayed impact of safes and also highlights the importance of cooperation between stakeholders. affects the safety and well-being of our community.”

The Ontario College of Pharmacists said data from other provinces show safes can help prevent robberies. Pharmacies are also posting signs at their entrances telling thieves not to get drugs quickly.

“The use of time-delayed safes is a welcome initiative to keep our pharmacy groups and the communities they serve safe, based on evidence that they prevent pharmacy robberies,” said Justin Bates, CEO of the Ontario Pharmacists Association.

Police and pharmacists say the use of time-delayed safes has helped dramatically curb drugstore robberies.

Speaking as co-chairman of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police's safety and crime prevention committee, Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Mark Dapat said the devices have reduced pharmacy robberies in the Peel region and made them less attractive to criminals.

“Time-delayed safes open only after a predetermined delay, making it difficult to immediately access controlled items,” Dapat said. “This feature greatly reduces the attractiveness of pharmacies as a target for criminals looking for a quick pick-up opportunity.”

Police say similar findings have been reported in Alberta and British Columbia following mandates for delayed safes at pharmacies. Mandates have recently been introduced in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.