GTA Crime Report: Gun Violence and Car Thefts Top the List
Across major Canadian provinces, there is a shared concern over crime, drugs, home invasions, and vehicle theft. A mid-year poll conducted in 2024 across Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary found that, on average, one in five people believed that crime and policing are the top issues facing their cities, just behind homelessness and poverty.
While sensational headlines can create a bleak image of crime, they often fail to present the complete picture. The reality is more nuanced, and that’s where the numbers come into play.
Statistics show that, although crime remains a concern, the situation is not as severe as it may seem in the news. Surveys conducted at the beginning and middle of 2025 indicated a marked decrease in overall crime rates across Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary in 2024 and 2025.
In Toronto, crime statistics for 2024-25 present a mixed scenario. While there has been a slight uptick in violent crimes, specifically assaults and robberies, property crimes have declined. Notably, the homicide rate has dropped significantly, with projections indicating a nearly 50% decrease by the end of 2025. Although the overall crime severity index (CSI) has risen slightly, reflecting the increasing complexity of urban crime, Toronto remains relatively safe with a Safety Index score of 56.6 in 2025, slightly above the global average.
A recent survey conducted by a leading Toronto news portal has revealed interesting insights regarding public opinion on crime and policing.
Top Concerns for GTA Residents:
– Home invasions: 47% of residents cited this as their primary concern
– Vehicle thefts: 43%
– Gun violence: 42%
Additionally, public views on law enforcement were as follows:
– 67% of GTA residents believed their local police chiefs were doing an excellent job
– 75% expressed positive opinions about their frontline police personnel
– 67% were satisfied with their local police response times, while 33% were not
– The majority felt that bail conditions for repeat offenders should be stricter
– 86% believed young criminals should be tried as adults
– Regarding police budgets, 55% felt they were sufficient, while 34% favoured increasing them
– Despite 67% of residents feeling safe in their neighbourhoods, 62% felt unsafe on public transit
– Additionally, 67% were satisfied with how local police handled protests in the region.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
