WINNIPEGGERS are the most likely to say they're afraid to set foot in some parts of their city, a Canada West Foundation survey of residents of seven Canadian cities has found.
Slightly more than 78 per cent of Winnipeg respondents said they strongly or somewhat agree with the statement "There are parts of the city I am scared to set foot in," -- a greater percentage than in any of the other cities.
A survey has found that 78% of Winnipeggers are afraid to go into parts of their city -- the highest rate in Canada. Above, police officer marks evidence in a fatal stabbing Friday night near Sutton Avenue and Rothesay Street in North Kildonan.
But the survey found Winnipeggers aren't alone when it comes to concerns about safety. A majority of residents in each of the other cities also said there were parts of their city they were afraid to walk in.
"Every major city has their challenges... in the downtown area and inner city," said Jino Distasio, executive director of the University of Winnipeg Institute of Urban Studies.
"Many cities have problems with crime and panhandlers, and people all have apprehensions and fears of going into other parts of their own city."
Distasio said safety problems associated with Winnipeg's downtown, North End and West End are no greater than those experienced by residents of other Canadian cities. But he said a history of strong neighbourhood loyalty among Winnipeg respondents would negatively influence the survey results, more so here than in other cities.
"I don't think there is another city where the residents show such strong loyalty to the neighbourhood where they grew up and continue to live," Distasio said, adding there is a reluctance among residents of any Winnipeg suburb to go downtown and into any other neighbourhood. He said that could account for people being afraid of going into other parts of the city.
Jino Distasio: neighbourhood loyalties
The Canada West Foundation commissioned a survey on public safety in six western Canadian cities and Toronto. Other issues examined included the need to reduce crime, best responses to illegal drug activity, street prostitution and panhandling, and neighbourhood safety.
The survey found that respondents in each of the seven cities "tend to favour increased law enforcement when it comes to drug dealers, drug houses and panhandling."
The survey also found that a majority of respondents in all seven cities said reducing homelessness is a high priority and they believe that government is doing "a poor job addressing urban social issues such as poverty."
Distasio said downtown Winnipeg has long had an image problem that has fuelled concerns of suburban dwellers. He said the Canada West Foundation survey shows that repeated attempts to alter that image have failed.
"We've been working on a solution for three decades and we have failed," Distasio said. "Whether we fare worse or better (than other cities), the survey suggests that we still have problems."
Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz said all Canadian cities have serious crime problems and Winnipeg is no different, noting the fear of crime is high in all seven cities surveyed.
The mayor reiterated that crime reduction and prevention are his administration's No. 1 priority. That's why the Winnipeg Police Service created street-crime task force Operation Clean Sweep and crime-monitoring program CrimeStat, he said.
"It's time for us to stop daydreaming and say, 'Yes, we have a problem and let's do something about it,' " Katz said.
But the mayor also said he would walk alone down any street in any Winnipeg neighbourhood at night, even though he's well aware some are safer than others.
"I may not be the average individual," he said, noting tough-looking characters usually recognize him and strike up a friendly conversation. "And I grew up on Selkirk Avenue."
aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca
-- With files from Bartley Kives
PREVIOUS
