Calgary and Crime

[Lonely Soldier Boy]

http://www.findmycountry.ca/2006/05/...-6th-2006.html

I have never seen as many houses with security systems as I have when I went to Calgary and Edmonton. If you are in the suburbs, it seems every house has one - or at least acts like it has one. Why is everyone so terrified of break-ins and crime in general? Back home, I only met one or two people with security systems - and they were in ultra expensive houses with millions in assets.

[MooseTits]

"Calgarians, for the most part, subscribe to security companies and bar their windows"

Yeah, okay, I've never seen a residence with barred windows. I've seen more security systems in Vancouver and Victoria than I have here. I've lived in each of these places for over 3 years too. This is fluff.

[Lonely Soldier Boy]

I've lived in Montreal and never saw so many barred windows or security systems.

I'm sorry if it defies your conventional thinking. Where do you live exactly?

[IceMan77]

I think it's cuz the ADT data response centre is in calgary.

[FastFokker]

I live in a prison and I've never seen so much security in all of Canada!

What's with these people with bars, locks, guards, searches and the like!

[Lonely Soldier Boy]

I live in a prison and I've never seen so much security in all of Canada!

What's with these people with bars, locks, guards, searches and the like!

Sigh.

So in short, Calgarians deny that they live in a culture of fear? Check and check.

[Spidey]

Ive had a security system for the past 7 years in 2 houses. Got it after we moved into our second house and has another child.

I figure the extra $30 a month is worth it. Get a deduction on house insurance and makes me feel batetr when Im not at home but my wife and kids are.

Plus its peace of mind when your away on vacation.

Just my 2 cents

[MooseTits]

Sigh.

So in short, Calgarians deny that they live in a culture of fear? Check and check.

We're too busy making money to be fearful. But seriously, the statistics seem to be fairly close across the board http://www.toronto.ca/quality_of_life/safety.htm. As for being fearful, read my first sentence. I have to be honest though, gang-related crimes are on the increase and the police don't seem to be able to do much about it. Maybe now that the Flames pooped their diapers, the cops can re-direct more attention to the city's growing pains rather than policing the Red Mile. Hey Lonely Soldier Boy, where you from?

[Lonely Soldier Boy]

I'm from Montreal.

And I agree, Calgary is definitely better off than Montreal financially - and culturally. Most people refuse to admit the second, but all Montreal has going for it is that they use a different language to say the same things. The museums and universities in Alberta will overtake McGill & Co soon enough - the benefits of having money.

Albertans also have a better sense of risk-taking (etc). You don't see that out east really. That is why I think it will be prosperous even after the oil boom. However, I would be lying if I said I wasn't worried by my cab driver telling me about the different asian gangs / etc.. who are coming to Calgary.

I'm in Edmonton right now FYI. I was in Medicine hat over the weekend staying at a farm and will post my stories later this week.

[Spidey]

I'm from Montreal.

And I agree, Calgary is definitely better off than Montreal financially - and culturally. Most people refuse to admit the second, but all Montreal has going for it is that they use a different language to say the same things. The museums and universities in Alberta will overtake McGill & Co soon enough - the benefits of having money.

Albertans also have a better sense of risk-taking (etc). You don't see that out east really. That is why I think it will be prosperous even after the oil boom. However, I would be lying if I said I wasn't worried by my cab driver telling me about the different asian gangs / etc.. who are coming to Calgary.

I'm in Edmonton right now FYI. I was in Medicine hat over the weekend staying at a farm and will post my stories later this week.

Where did u stay in the Hat. Just curious since Im from there

[Lonely Soldier Boy]

A family friend of mine owns a farm there and I know that a large percentage of the Canadian population lives in rural areas. (He is just outside Medicine Hat actually) I thought it would be great to see what life is like out there.

Getting attacked by turkeys is over-rated though

[BadDrafter]

On saturday I witnessed a good ole fashion purse snatching. It was downtown, near olymplic plazza and the thief had accomplices, he haned the purse to another indigent looking fellow and kept running. He was tall and muscular so I did not want to get involved.

[dark169]

we have bars on out basement windows just becuase the hedges/gardens would hide someone attempting to break in pretty well. Never really had a problem but an ounce of prevention...

I dont think we live in fear. Some people do. Our house door is ussaly unlocked if someones home. Where my gf's parents lock the door as soon as they close it, even lock it if one walks to the mail box, some people are just strange.

[BadDrafter]

we have bars on out basement windows just becuase the hedges/gardens would hide someone attempting to break in pretty well. Never really had a problem but an ounce of prevention...

I dont think we live in fear. Some people do. Our house door is ussaly unlocked if someones home. Where my gf's parents lock the door as soon as they close it, even lock it if one walks to the mail box, some people are just strange.

The closer you are to suburbia the more open you keep your house, the closer you are to forrest lawn the more you lock your doors. It's a direct relation formula.

[MooseTits]

Really? With the exposure that their festivals receive, I would think that Montreal is much more cultured. I was only there when I was younger so it's hard to form a personal opinion. But other than the Stampede, Calgary doesn't seem to have too much going for it culturally. And yeah, the gang-related crimes here have become a growing problem.