Calgary police fear pharmacy robberies could become more violent

Police are urging pharmacists in Calgary to take extra precautions in the wake of almost two dozen robberies that have targeted the city's drug stores this summer. Safety measures recommended by police include keeping limited cash and drugs on hand, always locking the doors that separate the pharmacy from the rest of the store, installing height tape to the interior of the main entrance, and ensuring surveillance cameras are working at all times. At least one camera should be positioned at the level of customers’ sightlines, said the police. Pharmacy staff should also be alert to suspicious behaviour. The city has seen 23 pharmacy robberies since June, most of which involved culprits who threatened staff with weapons as they demanded cash and pharmaceutical drugs, according to a report in the Calgary Herald. The string of robberies is part of a bigger, ongoing rash of crimes against pharmacies in the province, which is in the midst of an opioid crisis that’s set to kill a record number of residents this year. By the end of last year Edmonton had recorded 14 pharmacy robberies, compared to eight from 2019, said a CBC News report from December 2020. In Calgary, 21 pharmacy robberies occurred in just three months towards the end of last year. A CTV News report from April said Rexall counted 15 thefts in the first four months of 2021, prompting the company to install time-delayed safes—which take as long as 10 minutes to open after the security code is entered—in its stores. Read: 3 Calgary pharmacies robbed over Family Day weekend Inspector Phil Hoetger with the Calgary police said there’s concern that these robberies could become more violent. “There have been some staff members who have been hit or held briefly and there have been weapons involved, so there’s concern at this point that it’s already escalated,” he said. Smaller pharmacies with fewer employees, and which tend to have less security, account for most of the robberies, said Hoetger. He noted that some culprits may have been behind more than one robbery. While recent robberies targeted the opioid Cotidrin, a mix of other drugs have also been taken. “It’s been a variety of different narcotics that can be used illicitly or turned into different substances,” said Hoetger. “We’re trying to determine where (the drugs) are going and what the big picture is.” Read: Labels on targeted drugs can help solve robberies Calgary police have been working with RCMP as well as with police departments in Edmonton, said Hoetger. The Alberta Pharmacists’ Association said in a statement that it is “very concerned” about the impact of the robberies on pharmacists and patients. “Our association provides professional psychological services to assist those members who have been victims,” the association said. Read: The most unusual pharmacy robberies of 2017

Calgary police fear pharmacy robberies could become more violent

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