27 replies to this topic

[jklymak]

You re-stated the point - it is not actual crime, or even perception. It is trying to park near to a store, or meeting place, and having a pleasant experience downtown. Impossible (my opinion).

Hey, I'd be all for more beat cops, Guardian Angels etc. I'd even be fine if there was more support for the large number of ill folks on the street. However, I do think that not enjoying downtown because of some unsavoury aspects is a shame, particularly when those aspects are 99% cosmetic. I live downtown, and spend a lot of free time here, and I guess I don't feel anywhere near as impacted by these issues as some people seem to. I find almost every day down here very pleasant.

[jklymak]

Habitat for these issues has shrunk, yet the issues themselves have not.

Thats a good point. You could find needles behind the Canoe Club 20 years ago, just it wasn't the Canoe Club...

[Sue Woods]

However, I do think that not enjoying downtown because of some unsavoury aspects is a shame, particularly when those aspects are 99% cosmetic. I live downtown, and spend a lot of free time here, and I guess I don't feel anywhere near as impacted by these issues as some people seem to. I find almost every day down here very pleasant.

I wish I could feel that way. I see people blitzed out of their minds on drugs, the criminal element walking around like they own the streets, people screaming at each other, passerbys being fingered and cursed, cars being cased, and I often make a point to avoid eye contact. And thats during the day!

[Sue Woods]

Other than the police, there should be no other organized security force - to allow that invites potential abuse, invasion of privacy, intimidation and a dilution of authority.The example in my post was for escorts - simply applying the theory that 2 or more people are less likely to be a victim of a mugging, or attack.

Staying fashionably off-topic... I do agree with you about escorts. Sometimes just knowing there is someone ot walk you to your car can make a women feel less vulnerable. Maybe a new volunteer position under the umbrella of the arts orgs.

I also see more private security downtown now. Does anyone know if they are city employed - or hired by private businesses? And is it just daytime or 24 hours. Do they walk people to their cars if asked - or just cover the property/area to which they are assigned?

[mat]

All posts regarding the reality, and perception of security in the downtown core have been moved here. Please use this thread to discuss any issues, news or opinions on personal safety for core residents, employees and visitors downtown.

Actual crime reporting - please post in the crime thread.

[Vic Skyscraper Fan]

We definatly need more beat cops patroling downtown. It did wonders for New York in the 90s. If we put a couple of officers in high profile spots like Douglas & Yates, Douglas & Johnson, and a couple walking up and down Douglas St all day and night. Downtown would be a bit safer. Criminals would know that police are only a stone's throw away at all times. Well, I guess patrols at Douglas & Yates are already in progress. Beacause I have definatly noticed a decrease in shady people there.

[Ms. B. Havin]

I don't like the poll options:

Perfectly safe - there are no reasons to avoid downtown day or night.

Somewhat safe - OK by day, but avoid downtown at night

Day or night downtown has a problem with crime.

Given the visibility of social disorder, it's easy to say "Day or night downtown has a problem with crime," yet that wouldn't be true. At the same time, it's ridiculous to answer "Perfectly safe" unless you're Pollyanna. Why? Because Victoria isn't perfectly safe, simple as that. But would you "avoid downtown" for that reason? "Day or night"? C'mon.

As for the middle option, that's no good either. Sure, it's easy to agree with "somewhat safe," but just because I might think it's "somewhat safe," I should agree with "avoid[ing] downtown at night"?? I don't think so, lads and lassies.

By the way, I have no problems letting my kids go downtown -- gasp!, unchaperoned, alone, not traveling in packs, but individually, by themselves. Even if it's dark - admittedly in the winter, that means anytime after 4:30, so yes, I don't mean at 10pm, when d/t gets really empty. But 6 or 7 or 8, when there are still plenty of people about? Fine. They know what to avoid: empty, unpeopled spaces. (aastra is right: we need more people living downtown. more beat cops, too.)

I think it's very sad if Gordon Head parents tell their kids it's not safe to be downtown (during the day even!, iirc from mat's post, somewhere earlier on this thread or on another from where this was moved from).

[mat]

I don't like the poll options:

Perfectly safe - there are no reasons to avoid downtown day or night.

Somewhat safe - OK by day, but avoid downtown at night

Day or night downtown has a problem with crime.

Given the visibility of social disorder, it's easy to say "Day or night downtown has a problem with crime," yet that wouldn't be true. At the same time, it's ridiculous to answer "Perfectly safe" unless you're Pollyanna. Why? Because Victoria isn't perfectly safe, simple as that. But would you "avoid downtown" for that reason? "Day or night"? C'mon.

As for the middle option, that's no good either. Sure, it's easy to agree with "somewhat safe," but just because I might think it's "somewhat safe," I should agree with "avoid[ing] downtown at night"?? I don't think so, lads and lassies.

By the way, I have no problems letting my kids go downtown -- gasp!, unchaperoned, alone, not traveling in packs, but individually, by themselves. Even if it's dark - admittedly in the winter, that means anytime after 4:30, so yes, I don't mean at 10pm, when d/t gets really empty. But 6 or 7 or 8, when there are still plenty of people about? Fine. They know what to avoid: empty, unpeopled spaces. (aastra is right: we need more people living downtown. more beat cops, too.)

I think it's very sad if Gordon Head parents tell their kids it's not safe to be downtown (during the day even!, iirc from mat's post, somewhere earlier on this thread or on another from where this was moved from).

Well said - the whole point of the the thread and poll. Perception vs reality.