Crime in Toronto?

Question

I've lived away from Toronto for almost 10 years and was told by a relative that it is no longer the safe place it used to be. Anyone who has lived there at least 20 years that can tell me their opinion? I heard it is over-run with gangs especially in the Scarborough area and there has been a huge rise in the murder rates.

Answer 1

Especially in Scarborough?

It's the only area in Toronto where crime has gone DOWN.

No we're not run over with gangs, it's still a safe city. I have no problem walking through Toronto at night.

Answer 2

I've lived here for 19 years, does that count? The gang problem in Scarborough is still pretty bad, but not as bad before Toronto Police raided them all simultaneously a few years ago. They will still take your belongings and won't think twice about it. And I'm not sure if you've heard of someone by the name of Jane Creba in the news. This girl was shot by a stray bullet after a drive-by from a gang around the Eaton Centre area and died. This was Boxing Day by the way.

This article isn't exactly a crime thing, but it just goes to show how stupid people have become to put other people's lives at risk, driving in Toronto. If I were you, I'd stay right where you are. Hell, I"m trying to save up enough money to get the hell out of this godforsaken city...

Answer 3

Yes there is more crime, but no, it's not necessarily an unsafe city. I live very close to where many of the Scarborough shootings occur and am perfectly able to walk around without feeling unsafe. These shootings are almost always in the same areas and it's easy to avoid these neighbourhoods. Most of the communities in Toronto are extremely safe.

The media blows things out of proportion and the nature of the crimes are largely misunderstood. If you research you'll find most of the violent crimes are amongst those gangs you speak of - they are shooting each other. In actual fact murder rates are only marginally more then average, and to say the city is 'over-run' with gangs shows just how much the media will fluff the stories to make them more exciting and instill the usual fear into people.

As far as large cities go, however, Toronto is actually quite low on violence toward innocent civilians, and the worst thing you are likely to come across is a guy begging for change so he can buy a bottle to keep him warm that night.

Answer 4

I have lived all over Toronto, and if your looking for trouble or involved with illegal activitys or in a gang, you will llikely be targeted, I moved to Toronto in the 1970's, I am a former chef, went to George Brown College when the culinary division was in the Kensington market area and Chinatown, granted I am a man or so to speak, and 6'4" tall and weight 285-300 lbs, so most people even with a weapon don't mess with me.

I was only approached or even mildly accosted. once on Yonge St at midnight coming out of work at the Westbury Hotel in 1989. I think if you look at the population base, the crimes and murders per capita and figure in the number of people immigrating and moving about the area, it is no more dangerous now than before.

These crimes your hearing of are commited by people on people who either provoke or look for trouble, I worked part-time as a doorman to supplement my income, and we had trouble makers, but only once and awhile and they were almost always the type who would start something no matter were they went.

Unlike the American citys similar in size to Toronto, you still can go out at night, do things and not feel in danger plus if you watch the news on the major TV stations, 95% of the time the people involved in these events know the person or persons who did it. There will always be areas of the city that have higher levels of crime, but these areas have been that way for years nothing has changed or will it, so rest assured while things may have changed, it is all relative to the way society has also changed over time, not just Toronto.

Answer 5

I am living in Scarbrough mostly its Safe only a certain area which we can say is a grey area other wise most of the town is safe to live.
In down town toronto there is a grey area as well but overall its safe too
u know toronto is a really cosmopolition City and as most of the cities in the world like toronto there is a Crime.But i can assure u this have nothing to do with peace loving people like u its war of the Gangs
last but not least Police here is very efficent
Dont worry at all pack up the bags

Answer 6

Your relative is misinformed. Specifically about "over-run" with gangs. Don't bash Scarborough, it gets a bad rap. And the murder rate hasn't had a huge rise. Grow some testicles and come home.

Answer 7

Anyone who thinks Toronto is a "Unsafe city" is either soft or on crack! Sure there's crime like every other city, but compared to ANY city in the US, it's club med. Live in the Burbs if you can't handle the city...

Answer 8

Very dangerous!

Never live there!

Live in Mississauga because it's safe