I have this paranoia about New Zealand?

Question

Hey. I seem to have become obsessed with crime in the last year. I feel as though new zealand is a dangerous place when I keep listening to the radio and watching the news. All they seem to put on it is crime. It has led me to not really want to walk to the bus station anymore to go to school. I know nothing would probobly happen but you know. I need reassurence. I need to make myself feel like new zealand is a lovely country and the crime rate will get better over time. I love this country but I have become paranoid and look for things like graffiti and that at every chance I get. I live in Wellingotn and there have been no murders this year but I am still worried. Reassure this paranoid teen! Experiances on nz please positve ones please!

Answer 1

media will always report crime over everything else, because its more entertaining; so theyre may seem like there's a lot of crime going on now, but it could of been the same rate a couple years ago, just less media coverage.

what i would be worried about in wellington are earthquakes

but thats just me :]]

i think new zealand is a beautiful country i travelled there when i was 14 and ive wanted to go back ever since

so get over your fear, youll be fine

Answer 2

I can understand your sudden obsession - but I would call it wariness rather than paranoia.

There have been a spate of violent attacks this year and they have been given considerable media coverage. We just aren't used to this sort of thing here.

Look at it this way, - there have been - is it 12 killed recently? I don't know how many attacks that didn't end up in murder -

out of over 4,000,000 people? that still means over 4,000,000 other people have not been attacked - very low odds indeed of being one of the unfortunates.

Also - most if not all  - were late at night. No-one in their right mind or sober,  walks the streets anywhere alone between 11.00pm and 3.00am.

You should take the warning from all this and use your fear to learn some sort of self defence - not that you are really at risk, but what a good opportunity to use your current apprehension as motivation to learn karate of some similar skill. It is always handy to know how to protect yourself in the event of any risks be they earthquakes or physical attacks.

I live very close to the notorious area of Southern Auckland.

If I walk alone after dark I carry a small alarm (can be bought at d**k Smiths) and it makes an almighty siren sound at the quick pull of the string. If you have something like this on you and if you have the additionaly knowledge of how to protect yourself, you will feel more secure. This isn't giving in to your fears, it's being prepared.

On the positive side - there are far more good, decent people walking and driving around, then there are dangerous ones. There are far more dangerous places to live than any in New Zealand.

Answer 3

If you are so obsessed with crime then why don't you become a police officer and do something positive with your paranoia.