A narrative is taking hold, subtly attempting to reassure the public that streets are safer, that anxieties are unfounded. Don't believe it. Despite claims from authorities and sensationalized headlines, a deeper look reveals a troubling reality.
Recent reports highlight a decrease in murders and shootings, presenting this as definitive proof of improving safety. However, focusing solely on these figures obscures a far more complex and concerning trend – a calculated attempt to downplay a significant rise in overall criminal activity.
A small dip in crime, after years of dramatic increases, is being presented as a victory. But consider this: losing five pounds doesn’t negate gaining fifty. Similarly, a slight reduction from record highs doesn’t erase the substantial gains crime has made over the past decade.
Official data reveals a more unsettling picture. While major crime indicators are down compared to the last two years, they’ve surged a staggering 30% since 2020 and 39% since 2015. The feeling of increased insecurity isn’t a misperception; it’s a direct response to a demonstrably more dangerous environment.
The narrative often points to nostalgia for past decades, suggesting people simply *feel* safer remembering the 1970s or 1990s. But the truth is far more recent. A return to the safety levels of 2020 or even 2015 feels like a distant dream for many communities.
Consider auto theft, a crime that has exploded in recent years. In 2015, Toronto saw 3,285 vehicle thefts. By 2023, that number had skyrocketed to a record 12,539 – nearly four times the previous figure. While 2025 numbers show a decrease, 7,151 thefts is still more than double the amount recorded a decade ago.
The increases aren’t limited to auto theft. Assaults are up almost 40% over the last decade, reported sexual violations have risen by 46%, and theft over $5,000 has effectively doubled. These aren’t isolated incidents; they represent a systemic shift towards increased criminal activity.
This isn’t a problem confined to Toronto. Across the Greater Toronto Area and throughout Canada, crime rates are climbing. York Regional Police data shows carjackings increased by a shocking 523% between 2019 and 2024, with significant increases in shoplifting, auto theft, arson, and assault.
Violent crime in York Region rose by 57% in the same period, while property crime increased by 21%. Nationally, violent crime is up 55%, sexual assaults by 76%, firearm-related offenses by 130%, and extortion by a staggering 330% over the last decade.
To accept the claim that “crime is down” simply because it’s decreased from record highs is to normalize a dangerous situation. We shouldn’t settle for a reality where a substantial increase in crime is considered acceptable simply because it’s not *as bad* as it could be.
Many would gladly return to the relative safety of 2020 or 2015. Ignoring the long-term trends and focusing solely on recent dips is a disservice to communities and a dangerous denial of the challenges we face.
