Citizens can fully participate in a community and enjoy their lives when they feel safe and secure in their homes, neighbourhoods, public places or workplaces. We can live more fully when we and our loved ones are not at risk of harm. Read the rest of this entry »

The General Social Survey (2004) asked those over 15 in Niagara about their feelings of staying home alone in the evening or at night.  In 2004, 19% said they felt worried and 80% were not at all worried. Of the Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) reporting, the lowest ratings were from Saint Johns (14% worried; 85% not at all). Read the rest of this entry »

Crime rates for Niagara went down from 2002 to 2007, for overall crime per 1,000, violent crimes, other criminal offences, homicide, robbery, break and enter and motor vehicle crime. They were all below the OMBI average, except for property crimes that remained much higher than the OMBI average in all 5 years. Read the rest of this entry »

The number of motor vehicle accidents in a region is a measure of how safe or unsafe residents are on the roads in an area. Niagara has one of the highest per capita accident fatality rates in Ontario at 7.2% fatalities per registered drivers compared to .01 in Ontario. Read the rest of this entry »

The rate of police officers per 100,000 populations is often used as an indicator of the perceptions of safety in a community. Their numbers and visibility in a community affects the public’s perception of overall safety and the capacity of police officers to engage in prevention and service and to respond to police calls from the public. Read the rest of this entry »

Calls to police have remained relatively stable since the year 2000 and are approximately 131,000 a year for 2007.   Read the rest of this entry »

The number of hate crimes committed in an area affects the feelings of safety and security of residents and may be a measure related to the prejudice, racism and discrimination experienced in an area. Lower rates might also be a measure of acceptance and inclusion in an area. Read the rest of this entry »