Personal Security and Community Safety

There are many reasons to feel good about living in a big city, given that levels of safety in a large city have been shown time and time again to be higher than in smaller centres.  As well, levels of crime have been declining for the last decade, declining in absolute numbers for many crimes, and on a per capita basis for all crimes.

But – and this can not be ignored – there are reasons to be worried about personal security.  Levels of gun violence have increased in Toronto in recent years.  Domestic violence seems more prevalent.  Reports of crime have a way of resonating even if those events happened far away.

Some members of our community feel less secure than others, and there are instances where personal security issues are not simply a matter of how individuals ‘feel’, but are rooted in real events.  This is not a complete list, but here are four examples:

1. Women and security

There are some streets women feel uneasy walking on at some times during the day or night – women can readily  identify and agree on the sections of streets where they feel unsafe, and often they know the changes needed to enhance feelings of safety on those streets, and steps should be taken to make those improvements.

Woman abuse is a significant problem for too many women.  It is fortunate that it has been a recognized problem for the last three decades, and while some support has been provided for women suffering abuse (such as temporary places to live and dedicated courts), much remains to be done.  Male aggression is a problem in much domestic abuse and must be addressed with more effective support for families in difficulty. Together we must find ways  to name that aggression and reduce our tolerance for that behaviour while ensuring women and children are safe.

2. Youth and security

Youth, particularly youth of colour, face security issues that youth with white skin are often fortunate to avoid.  One problem might be that incidence of poverty among non-white households is much higher than white households.  Another is, in spite of Toronto’s multi-cultural tolerance, underlying issues of racism exist.  A third might be the behaviour of some members of the police, which has been shown to be too often racially motivated. The chance of being stopped and arrested by police is much higher for those with non-white skin, as several studies have shown. These are complicated and difficult problems, but they can be addressed and the situation can - and should be – improved.

3. The Jewish community and security

Not everyone in our city is aware of the special security issue  facing the Jewish community. Jewish institutions must take very significant precautionary measures (measures not contemplated by other religions or groups) to ensure they are protected, including security guards and cameras, and operating protocols for buildings. 

This is of particular concern for Ward 21, with a large Jewish community and three of the largest synagogues in Canada.  The costs of the extra security required has led to the Jewish community to make an official request to the Federal government for assistance.  The city must respond positively to this challenge – all residents of the city must know that they will not be singled out, and that the city’s role is to effectively deal with these threats so they will nto be realized.

These threats are compounded by continuing acts of anti-Semitism - acts like vandalism such as the painting of swastikas and discretion of cemeteries. These threats too must be addressed so that members of the Jewish community can rightfully feel that they have the same sense of personal security as others.

4. Gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered people, and security.

Significant changes have been made in recent decades regarding the way that gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered people are treated in society, changes that were needed and are welcome. Toronto has led the way, but incidents of violence against this community continue to occur. There are also forces at work to subvert the gains that have been made. These problems must be addressed with fresh and renewed vigour.

Conclusion

There is no question but that other groups in society also have feelings of insecurity. As the case of Maher Arar shows, residents and citizens from the Middle East and of the Muslim faith are sometimes singled out and wrongfully accused of offenses because of their country of original or their faith. Those threats too often come directly from those responsible for policing society, which is wrong.  

Issues of personal security require careful attention, and are rarely resolved by knee-jerk reactions.  For instance, there’s almost no relationship between the number of police officers and levels of personal security – hiring more police doesn’t increase security.  On the other hand, increasing a vital sense of community is usually effective. Improving security for some often helps improve security for others. Protecting women, for instance, also helps to protect seniors and children. Addressing issues such as youth employment opportunities and affordable housing has much to do with diverting youth from criminal activity and providing women, especially single mothers, with more security. 

It is important that initiatives be taken in conjunction with relevant groups and organizations to help create useful plans which will increase feelings of security and belonging for all Torontonians.