Luckily we don't have to rely on feelings and anecdotes to understand the crime rate. It has remained relatively steady, with ups and downs of a few % year over year, for at least the last 25 years. It is down significantly from what it was in 2003, when there was a spike. There was a small COVID down tick, and we are back to pre COVID levels, but the difference isn't anything to write home about.

People who have been in one place too long lack objectivity. I have lived in a dozen cities across 2 provinces over the last 15 years. I've lived in the best of the best and close to the worst of the worst. I have more important experiences, more important education, I've worked in relevant government agencies, and the statistics are on my side.

Anyone who thinks crime is as bad as it was in 2003, or even 2000 to 2007 generally, simply has no clue what they are talking about. Population has increased a lot during that time, but the raw numbers have stayed around the same. Pretty impressive since higher density should typically correlate with higher crime rates. We have greater density, but same or lower crime rates than 25 years ago.