This subject is nothing new and for crime prevention practitioners it’s always being discussed in various circles. It can quickly spread like a virus and is often what prompts the call for more police officers, CPTED assessments, target hardening measures, cameras, alarm systems and the list goes on. You can’t discuss the fear of crime without considering perception, something we wrote about last month.

The reality is that fear can get the best of us if we are not careful. It has the potential to “blur” reality and often does! However, the subject requires careful understanding, especially as it relates to victims of crime. For those of us that have been victimized, the fear of crime is very real and we need to appreciate that not everyone feels safe as a result. In many cities across North America, crime rates are down and the fear of crime is disproportionately high. Police services and crime prevention groups around the world are certainly exploring this issue carefully. Is your community suffering from fear of crime? Read more »

Filed under Community Crime Prevention, Graffiti, Portals for Discovery