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OPINION: Crime in the city

I have often heard it said that people here in Thunder Bay have their own way of doing things, different from other cities in Ontario and the rest of Canada.

I have often heard it said that people here in Thunder Bay have their own way of doing things, different from other cities in Ontario and the rest of Canada.

Well it seems that we’ve bucked the national trend once again and while most large cities are reporting less crime we remain a hot spot for violent and hate-related offenses.

It’s not all bad – there is reason for hope in the national statistics.'

The Crime Severity Index (CSI) measures the volume and seriousness of police reported crime in Canada. 
Our national crime rate is the lowest since 1969 – in 2013 it dropped again for the 10th year in a row.
In real terms this means that 1.8 million crimes were reported in 2013, a large number but down considerably from the previous year.
Homicides were down, there was a decline in break and enters and robberies and a big drop in less serious crimes like theft under $5,000 and mischief.

There were 32,000 less violent incidents reported in 2013 and most Canadian cities are now safer than ever.
But if that’s the case, why did 600 concerned citizens find it necessary to organize a peaceful march to Thunder Bay city hall last week?

It was partly a show of community support for an unfortunate local family as they endure the tragic aftermath of a violent crime.
It was also a desperate cry from a group of concerned citizens who represent the compassionate moral majority in this city.
For these kind-hearted individuals Thunder Bay is still a safe place to live, work and play in spite of the statistics and regardless of the huge social challenges we face.

I include myself in this group and as a life long resident I can honestly say that I feel as safe and secure in this city as I ever have.
However I am very aware of the heartbreak and grief suffered by many families and innocent victims of senseless violence in our community.

When you look a little closer at our quaint northern town you get an entirely different story from the rosy, crime-free picture painted of other somewhat safer cities.

First, the good news – the CSI has dropped in Thunder Bay in each of the last four years and the drop in property crimes indicates that prevention measures may be working.

Perhaps the march on city hall was not in vain.

But there is much work to do. Just for your information Regina has the highest in the country (it is also dropping) and the lowest numbers are in Guelph and Barrie, Ontario.

In the wake of the sixth homicide of 2014 the citizens of Thunder Bay are looking to city incumbents for some leadership on this issue, but only platitudes are forthcoming.

Mayor Hobbs is always quick to respond with outrage towards violent and hate-inspired crime but his remarks have become quite predictable and lack a certain sensitivity.

He was quoted recently, “I’m not saying all homicides are Aboriginal on Aboriginal…but most of them are.”
This statement does nothing to build the trust and compassion necessary to solve our long-standing and deeply rooted social problems.

We’ll be  voting for mayor and city council in two months.





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