IsToronto REALLY safe?

Question

We have moved to Toronto recently and we have loved every bit of it so far. But one thing which has been bothering me is the crime rate here. I heard that Toronto is one of the safest cities in the world. But I really don't understand what kind of yardstick is used to measure the crime rate. I mean, there are murders, shootings, stabbings happening every other day here as if it is a common practice. People seemed to be killed for no reason. And crime seems to be there almost everywhere - downtown, Scarborough, North York, Mississauga etc. I read the crime libraries and the frightening part is that most of the crimes are yet to be resolved which means that the accused are still at large. You never know when they will strike again.

Although we are here only for a short term, I'm quite distressed. I agree crime is present everywhere in the world but somehow Toronto just does not seem to be as safe as it is portrayed to the world.

Answer 1

I think it is. Most of the crimes here are drug or gang related, you can believe that. I have lived in Toronto for 20 years, in an area that most people would consider the "bad" part of town. Toronto is safe. It's a lot safer than many other cities in Canada. Like I said, I've lived here my entire life and I've never really had a problem. Yes, there are drugs and gangs and people do get killed, but these things happen everywhere. I agree it's probably not as safe as some portray it, but it's still safe. Every place has its own dangers. I've lived in the suburbs, out in the country. I'll always feel safest in the city.

Answer 2

Crime happens everywhere in the world!

Yes, Toronto REALLY is safe, especially compared to other cities and countries.  The majority of crimes in Toronto only happen with people involved in gangs, drugs, or other bad stuff like that.  And, of course, shootings only happen at night in unsafe allies, and areas.

In some public places, police and safetyguards protroll the grounds, making sure it is a secure place for everyone!

Just don't make unwise decisions!

Click here for an article from the Toronto Star. (one of Toronto's official newspaper)

http://www.thestar.com/News/World/articl...

Our entire WORLD is not safe!

Think of it -- poverty, warsaw -- it all happens!  We still have not achieved peace.  No country has.  You cannot think that Toronto and Canada are the 'perfect' country to live in, because really there is no ideal imagine of what's 'perfect.'  It has to have a LITTLE crime, don't you think?

In order to give genuine reviews, tell your friends what YOU think of Toronto... not about the unfortunate who make bad decisions through out life.  It's mostly them who get into all the trouble.  As long as you keep your nose out of things, Toronto has got to be one of the safest places to live in North America! :)

Answer 3

i have lived in Toronto and worked in the down town core for about 5 years. Toronto is pretty safe, as long as u don't get paranoid about safety, or provoke something. but crime happens every where. its only the major murders and accidents that we hear about.  

be vigialnt and aware of your surroundings that is the best way to keep safe and try to stay out of the "bad" neighbouhoods where crime seams to be higher. i think thats what scares people is that u never know what or where it will happen. nothing has ever happened to me while i worked in the city or when i lived on Bloor street with my grandma. but i now live out in Brampton and my house was broken into while i was taking a shower in it, even then no one was hurt. do whatever u do now to keep safe and nothing should happen to you.

Answer 4

Well, living in Mississauga I can say that there are safe areas and unsafe ones.

Answer 5

Toronto isn't perfect, but it's a lot safer than New York City, or any major U.S. *or* Canadian city for that matter. Of course, Toronto won't be safer than a small town, but for a city its size, it is the safest in North America according to crime statistics.

Answer 6

There has been a spike in the crime rate in recent years, owing largely to gang-related violence, but the statistics show quite clearly that the crime rate in Toronto is far lower than many other large cities in the United States. In 2007, Toronto had a murder rate of 3.3 per 100,000 vs. 5.4 for San Diego, 7.3 for New York, 9.0 for Denver, 11.5 for San Francisco, 16.4 for Chicago, 26.4 for Buffalo, 27.7 for Philadelphia, 29.1 for Washington DC, and a whopping 47.3 for Detroit.

Toronto is also safer than other major cities in Canada. According to the Sun, Vancouver has a crime rate that is 73% above the national average (vs. 12.6% for Toronto). Montreal is 34% above the national average.

The media has a lot to do with the perpetuation of the idea that Toronto is an increasingly dangerous place to live. The reality is far from the truth, as the statistics will attest. So, relax, and enjoy what the city has to offer.