Forgive me if this is offensive that is not my intention. I was listening to a black comedian on CBC radio and he was talking about going to the cottage. He said that the 2 reasons he doesn't want to go to the cottage are, "they are missing lights and witnesses." I think he may be on to something.
We lived in Toronto for 3.5 years and lots of people said, "I don't know how you do it." People have this perception that the city is so unsafe.
Granted, I heard 4 people get shot outside our apartment one night and here is a picture of Bobby with a local bike thief. But I never truly felt unsafe in Toronto.
I would walk places at night solo and felt very safe (half the battle is not taking short cuts!). I was asked for change every few blocks but never harassed.
Since we don't live there any more I'll even tell you that we could not even lock our door properly. In fact most times it was not locked at all...even the door on the street was rarely locked. AND WE WERE NEVER ROBBED!!
We've only been in Niagara Falls for 3 months and we've now been robbed 3 times (thankfully just our garage and car). No jokes.
I've also gotten cat calls as I walked down the street in Niagara Falls. What is with that?! One guy was riding by on a bike. Hello?
And then there was the needle in our backyard.
Don't even get me started.