Despite decline in Victoria’s crime statistics, public believe parts remain unsafe

Despite decline in Victoria's crime statistics, public believe parts remain unsafe
CHEK

At the start of the pandemic, downtown Victoria experienced an escalation in the number of crimes. Recent data, however, indicate the crime rate in most urban centres, including Victoria, is trending down, but there appears to be a lag between reality and perception.

Giant Bike shop owner Tyson Schley is one of the many businesses that ramped up security measures as crime began to spike. Everyone coming into his store will face a locked door and has to ring a doorbell first.

“We installed some automatic blinds that kind of shut at night time, kind of out of sight, out of mind blackout the store at night so there is no kind of impulse smashing of windows to try and grab stuff. So it’s been really good.”

After a spike in incidents in the downtown core, things appear calmer now, but Schley says he’s still wary.

“It is a cost of doing business. Which is unfortunate. We shouldn’t have to do it. But, got to do it.”

Since July 2021, calls to police including assaults, and uttering threats, have been shown to be declining, according to recently released crime statistics for Victoria.

Robberies, sexual assaults, and assaults against police officers remained relatively low and stable throughout the pandemic.

Despite the declining crime trends, many walking the streets of Victoria on Thursday still don’t feel entirely safe when downtown in certain areas.

SFU political scientist Stewart Prest said it takes time for the public to change their opinions about crime trends, and governments need to help with perceptions.

“The fact that the government does have to address that concern, even if the overall trend is one that we can be positive about.”

While random, and violent crimes are on the decline, it may take time for the public’s perception to change.

READ: Hate crimes up 37 per cent in 2020, other crime down: Statistics Canada

Mary GriffinMary Griffin

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