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David A said:
Perhaps it has changed more recently, but last time I was there I spent time around Granville Street in Vancouver, which is not one of their best areas downtown. Compared to our downtown then it actually seemed much better.
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The perception of Granville being better than our downtown, as far as disorder and whatnot, is mostly due to the fact that it's also a busier street, so more eyes on the road and all. But having lived in the area for a while, and still visiting every now and then for work, if you happen to be in the area after hours, it does not feel great or any safer than most of the "bad" areas of our downtown and DTES is far worse than anything we see in Edmonton.
 
I suppose we could continue to debate where safety issues are worse, but to some degree it is a moot point because its the perception of being less safe that really hurts our downtown.

I do agree that having retail downtown in Vancouver (which we don't have much left here anymore) and more corporate offices keeps it busier, especially during the day when a lot of people actually visit downtown. Sadly we haven't made an effort to attract more of those here. Residential helps too, but without much retail within walking distance, frankly people who live downtown here tend to hunker down a lot and are not out on the street as much.
 
Streets like this in the heart of downtown Vancouver make a big difference to perceptions and pleasantness.
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David A said:
I suppose we could continue to debate where safety issues are worse, but to some degree it is a moot point because its the perception of being less safe that really hurts our downtown.

I do agree that having retail downtown in Vancouver (which we don't have much left here anymore) and more corporate offices keeps it busier, especially during the day when a lot of people actually visit downtown. Sadly we haven't made an effort to attract more of those here. Residential helps too, but without much retail within walking distance, frankly people who live downtown here tend to hunker down a lot and are not out on the street as much.
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This is true. We live downtown but we tend to hunker down other than the occasional trips to the bibliotank library. When we do venture out, it's usually west towards Wîhkwêntôwin rather than east towards downtown. It's simply too sad and I'm tired of being angry and sad. The most I do is head to a work lunch once a month. Not much reason to hit the mall anymore and I do a grocery run with my mom on Fridays so that's another trip away from the core.
 
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Out of curiosity - how are people noticing changes in crime outside of Downtown?

Past DT and Stony Plain Road, it's been pretty quiet in West Edmonton. People still park like idiots, speed, illegal fireworks, etc. but very few incidents of active drug use, violence or any type of crime that matters. Just my subjective experience this year, but it does seem to be supported by EPS' crime mapping.

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policyenthusiast said:
Out of curiosity - how are people noticing changes in crime outside of Downtown?

Past DT and Stony Plain Road, it's been pretty quiet in West Edmonton. People still park like idiots, speed, illegal fireworks, etc. but very few incidents of active drug use, violence or any type of crime that matters. Just my subjective experience this year, but it does seem to be supported by EPS' crime mapping.

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Stony plain road continues to be a massive issue and the LRT is not safe enough yet. The west valley line will have the challenge of Jasper Place Transit Centre being a real problem area. They HAVE to have a permanent peace/police officer at that station IMO. All hours.

Encampments in mackinnon ravine, along 170th st in alleys/bushes, and along SPR are still bad.

Downtown is still so frustrating. My wife took the LRT to downtown library with 2 kids. Churchill elevator broken…what a joke. 0 way to get out for accessibility needs. So she goes to central and has to go past multiple drug users actively using and folding to get an elevator, as well as what she described as a 300+ lbs security guard that was sleeping in a chair with phone in hand. Great impression, use of resources, accessibility, and safety there COE, ETS, EPS.

She’ll be driving next time.

This is what has to change. We actively want to use transit and be downtown. And yet are still deterred. Good luck getting the average Edmontonian to overlook those experiences and to try again.
 
thommyjo said:
Downtown is still so frustrating. My wife took the LRT to downtown library with 2 kids. Churchill elevator broken…what a joke. 0 way to get out for accessibility needs. So she goes to central and has to go past multiple drug users actively using and folding to get an elevator, as well as what she described as a 300+ lbs security guard that was sleeping in a chair with phone in hand. Great impression, use of resources, accessibility, and safety there COE, ETS, EPS.

This is what has to change. We actively want to use transit and be downtown. And yet are still deterred. Good luck getting the average Edmontonian to overlook those experiences and to try again.
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The public perception is the most frustrating part. Most of the time things are fine, I've used Churchill numerous times and never encountered anything other than a few sketchy types here and there. My sister rarely uses the lrt, and the last time she used it at churchill there was a fight on the platform, and some rando taking a piss. Now she's vowing never to use the lrt again :rolleyes:
 
AntonK said:
The public perception is the most frustrating part. Most of the time things are fine, I've used Churchill numerous times and never encountered anything other than a few sketchy types here and there. My sister rarely uses the lrt, and the last time she used it at churchill there was a fight on the platform, and some rando taking a piss. Now she's vowing never to use the lrt again :rolleyes:
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That’s the challenge. All it takes is one or two experiences like that and “choice users” might never return”.

I’ve used the Milner library bathrooms a few times the last year. Currently I’m at like 4/5 times there’s been a red alert member in there basically using it as a private bathroom to clean/dress/do drugs, etc.

Why are we allowing red alert members in the library? You have gang affiliated clothing on, you’re banned. That simple.

Would love to bring more friends to that library cause it’s so fun for young kids. But the liklihood of a bad experience is almost guaranteed.
 
AntonK said:
The public perception is the most frustrating part. Most of the time things are fine, I've used Churchill numerous times and never encountered anything other than a few sketchy types here and there. My sister rarely uses the lrt, and the last time she used it at churchill there was a fight on the platform, and some rando taking a piss. Now she's vowing never to use the lrt again :rolleyes:
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I can't tell if you're rolling your eyes at the problem, or your sister for voting with her feet. If the latter? :rolleyes:
 
Offworld said:
I can't tell if you're rolling your eyes at the problem, or your sister for voting with her feet. If the latter? :rolleyes:
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The latter. I get that there is a real issue with sketchiness around downtown and the lrt stations, but to swear off it from one incident seems a bit much. I use the lrt a fair bit and don't encounter issues very often. For a lot of people the issues get blown out of proportion.
 
AntonK said:
The latter. I get that there is a real issue with sketchiness around downtown and the lrt stations, but to swear off it from one incident seems a bit much. I use the lrt a fair bit and don't encounter issues very often. For a lot of people the issues get blown out of proportion.
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“Not encountering issues very often” still means regularly and for those that are vulnerable - like my wife and like your sister - “not encountering issues very often” simply isn’t good enough.
 
kcantor said:
“Not encountering issues very often” still means regularly and for those that are vulnerable - like my wife and like your sister - “not encountering issues very often” simply isn’t good enough.
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Public transit & stations are a bottomless pit for investing in security and police presence, largely ineffectively at that. The shakeup needs to come from the provincial level, not from LRT governance or the City.
 
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