[ChazYEG]

I’m half expecting being robbed by armed gunmen based on public perception of downtown crime tbh

Then I realize the closest I’ve ever felt to fearing for my life downtown is almost getting hit while riding a bike lol

Exactly. If we guide ourselves by public perception you'd think Edmonton is on par with Tijuana and purge rules apply to Downtown.

Coming from someone who has actually been robber at gunpoint several times in life, I never EVER felt at risk from that in Edmonton.

 

[Avenuer]

Exactly. If we guide ourselves by public perception you'd think Edmonton is on par with Tijuana and purge rules apply to Downtown.

Coming from someone who has actually been robber at gunpoint several times in life, I never EVER felt at risk from that in Edmonton.

What are you saying, Downtown Sao Paulo is more dangerous than Churchill Square? BLASPHEMOUS

 

[constance_chlore]

I do often wonder why the misfortunes that seem to befall so many others in downtown never really seem to happen to me, even though I'm completely reckless about e.g. walking through McCauley at 2 AM.

 

[Avenuer]

I do often wonder why the misfortunes that seem to befall so many others in downtown never really seem to happen to me, even though I'm completely reckless about e.g. walking through McCauley at 2 AM.

Even McCauley ain't that bad - the only iffy spots would be in front of either Hope Mission building or 96 St. from the LRT tracks to 107 Ave.

 

[constance_chlore]

Even McCauley ain't that bad - the only iffy spots would be in front of either Hope Mission building or 96 St. from the LRT tracks to 107 Ave.

Yeah, that's generally been my experience—and really I find it more depressing than menacing.

 

[David A]

I do often wonder why the misfortunes that seem to befall so many others in downtown never really seem to happen to me, even though I'm completely reckless about e.g. walking through McCauley at 2 AM.

There is a some randomness to crime, for instance home invasions and shootings have happened in nicer neighbourhoods in Edmonton too.

It seems when something serious happens downtown it just reinforces perceptions about it being unsafe, but when it happens in a more suburban area it is seen more as an isolated or random thing.

 

[SarcasticMarmot]

There is a some randomness to crime, for instance home invasions and shootings have happened in nicer neighbourhoods in Edmonton too.

It seems when something serious happens downtown it just reinforces perceptions about it being unsafe, but when it happens in a more suburban area it is seen more as an isolated or random thing.

That is definitely part of it, I would add that people also conflate discomfort with being unsafe. Seeing so many street involved folks and the mess they make is deeply unsettling and feels unsafe, even if almost all of them are no threat. Furthering that perception most people will tell you that small cities like Red Deer and Lethbridge have lower crime rates than Edmonton but that is categorically untrue: https://dailyhive.com/edmonton/alberta-city-highest-crime-rate-canadian-metros

Humans are notoriously bad at accurately gauging risk with common examples being people feel safer driving than flying even though driving is massively more risky, or how sexual assault fears focus on "stranger danger" even though the biggest risk is family and friends.

 

[crisp]

It's really all about perception though, isn't it? Doesn't matter what the actual stats are, people choose where they want to be based on their own biased perceptions. And how do we change that????? That's the big question.

I have the suspicion that there is also more to it; using 'crime' as a factor is more like a scapegoat or the final blow to a decision that gets all the attention. I think people have a list of things they don't like about downtown, they've already created a negative opinion. Then they hear of one mugging and its like... 'yup, nope, never going downtown for anything'.

For me personally, I don't feel unsafe but I am disgusted with passing by people shooting up or smoking glass pipes in broad daylight, not even hiding it. I don't want to see it, I don't want to be near it, and it puts me in a negative mindset. So I can see why people don't want to go downtown for work or events.

 

[Gronk!]

Uhm...folks? There is a Downtown Crime thread in case you didn't know.

 

[NicolBolas]

The worst part of hearing this is that it isn't nearly as bad as public perception.

Perception is the only thing that matters.

 

[ChazYEG]

Uhm...folks? There is a Downtown Crime thread in case you didn't know.

I understand the desire to keep some topics segregated, but I don't think it is entirely out of topic to be discussing this here, as long as it happened organically. It is kind of complicated to simply move a conversation over, especially when it takes place over days.

 

[buildings]

disagree. people open a thread because they are interested in the content...to find it hijacked is very frustrating and I for one happily ignore those who refuse to stay on topic. Additionally, these derailments can lead to arguments and a lot of us remember what happened over on C2E

 

[TAS]

disagree. people open a thread because they are interested in the content...to find it hijacked is very frustrating and I for one happily ignore those who refuse to stay on topic. Additionally, these derailments can lead to arguments and a lot of us remember what happened over on C2E

What happened on C2E? Oops - see how easy it is to get sucked into a tangent?

 

[IanO]

Those were the days...

 

[David A]

I understand the desire to keep some topics segregated, but I don't think it is entirely out of topic to be discussing this here, as long as it happened organically. It is kind of complicated to simply move a conversation over, especially when it takes place over days.

I agree, safety concerns are an important reason why downtown retail including City Centre has struggled, categories do overlap.