Calgarians concerned about rising crime: ThinkHQ survey

A majority of Calgarians say they are concerned about their safety, as crime is on the rise, according to a survey by ThinkHQ.

According to the survey, more than half of the people (53 per cent) feel less safe than how they felt three years ago, while four per cent feel safer, and 42 per cent feel the same.

Public safety assessment

The poll shows 48 per cent of Calgarians feel as though crime is high, 12 per cent feel it’s “very high.” Meanwhile, 37 per cent think it’s moderate, and 12 per cent think it’s relatively low.

The survey also concluded people in northeast Calgary feel less safe than other Calgarians.

Seventy-two per cent of the people interviewed say crime has increased over the past three years, 22 per cent say it is much higher, 18 per cent say it’s about the same, and five per cent say it has decreased.

Demographic results

According to ThinkHQ, people living in the inner city, and those under 35 years old are less likely to feel an increase in crimes.

Meanwhile, women are slightly more likely to as though crime increased, and the likeliness increases with age.

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“Crime and public safety are very much top-of-mind for Calgarians today, and there is a strong sense that things have deteriorated over the last few years,” said Marc Henry, ThinkHQ public affairs president. “Almost three-quarters of citizens sense that crime is worse than it was three years ago, and the fact that over half feel ‘less safe’ personally is something that should be raising a red flag for government decision-makers.”

Henry adds COVID-19 restrictions had an impact on crime numbers in the city.

“It’s an interesting time to ask these questions, as public perception is both right and wrong as far as crime statistics go. Compared to 2019 (three years ago) there isn’t a notable surge in crime rates in the city. Contrasted to the last two years however, with COVID-19 restrictions dampening criminal activity, we’ve definitely seen a surge in 2022,” he said. “The COVID situation itself has contributed to mental-health, addiction, and economic hardships for some, which are also likely driving criminality and social disruption.

“It’s certainly not an issue to be ignored, with both City and Provincial budgets coming in the next few months. Public safety is a core responsibility for government, and most Calgarians seem to have the sense that their city has gotten a little ‘rough around the edges’ over the past few years.”