Martin, I agree that people that fear downtown might not have a lot of experience going downtown at night. But I do. I'm nearly 50. As well as in Detroit. And had been comfortable going many places by myself. Downtown is much busier than it used to be at night, which is a good thing. The homeless are not an issue to me either. Unfortunately with that increase in people, came an increase for the potential of rowdiness and fights. People are engaging in fights more frequently with knives (and guns) and good samaritans have gotten killed and had serious injuries when trying to break up things, or defend someone. More drug activity. That is the crowd that I don't want to walk through to get to my car. It seems to be more on Ouellette and a few blocks down University West in particular. Perhaps because there is more parking available in the blocks to the west. I'm not going to stop coming downtown completely, but yes, I do not feel as safe. And no, I won't come down by myself to meet friends after a certain time unless I am dropped off at the door. And I don't like that but have accepted it as part of life.
Martin Utrosa - 10 years ago
I worked very late night shifts (ending at 4:00 am) in Windsor's downtown for 7 years and then lived downtown for another 4. I rarely saw violent incidents and always felt safe. Let's remember that Windsor recently went 18 months without a single murder, and that includes downtown. I suspect that many people who fear going downtown have little experience being there, and probably watch a lot of US news. I believe that an in depth study comparing the relative safety of Windsor's downtown to similar downtown's across North America contradict the fears of many Windsorites.
Chris - 10 years ago
In the daytime, no problem! In the evening after dark, I watch my purse and using my phone and pay extra attention to who might be following me, and getting in and out of my car. That's the same all over the city, every city, at shopping centres, whatever. But at night on the weekend.... taking a cab to my destination, no problem... walking a few blocks early in the evening, no problem... walking with several friends after the bar or later at night, we are being much more cautiious.. feel fine inside most bars, but more cautious in the dance clubs especially they might have a younger crowd. I no longer will park a few blocks and walk to a destination alone if it is past 12:30ish, and we avoid driving downtown where we have to walk through a lot of crowds to get to our car after the bar. Not scared enough to not come downtown completely. The parking garage on Pelissier is a little creepy and too dark inside and around it, but don't mind the Chatham St. garage. Metal dectectors in the dance clubs would make me feel much safer... catch knives and guns, so maybe people will leave them at home more... I'm quite happy to see the big police prescense.
Sluggo - 10 years ago
No Bullet Proof Vests = No Downtown...!
My Grandpa - 10 years ago
Bullet-Proof Vests should be free for everyone going downtown....!
John Dough - 10 years ago
I'll feel safe as soon as I get my Bullet-Proof Vest.....Then I'll be fine...!!!
Martin, I agree that people that fear downtown might not have a lot of experience going downtown at night. But I do. I'm nearly 50. As well as in Detroit. And had been comfortable going many places by myself. Downtown is much busier than it used to be at night, which is a good thing. The homeless are not an issue to me either. Unfortunately with that increase in people, came an increase for the potential of rowdiness and fights. People are engaging in fights more frequently with knives (and guns) and good samaritans have gotten killed and had serious injuries when trying to break up things, or defend someone. More drug activity. That is the crowd that I don't want to walk through to get to my car. It seems to be more on Ouellette and a few blocks down University West in particular. Perhaps because there is more parking available in the blocks to the west. I'm not going to stop coming downtown completely, but yes, I do not feel as safe. And no, I won't come down by myself to meet friends after a certain time unless I am dropped off at the door. And I don't like that but have accepted it as part of life.
I worked very late night shifts (ending at 4:00 am) in Windsor's downtown for 7 years and then lived downtown for another 4. I rarely saw violent incidents and always felt safe. Let's remember that Windsor recently went 18 months without a single murder, and that includes downtown. I suspect that many people who fear going downtown have little experience being there, and probably watch a lot of US news. I believe that an in depth study comparing the relative safety of Windsor's downtown to similar downtown's across North America contradict the fears of many Windsorites.
In the daytime, no problem! In the evening after dark, I watch my purse and using my phone and pay extra attention to who might be following me, and getting in and out of my car. That's the same all over the city, every city, at shopping centres, whatever. But at night on the weekend.... taking a cab to my destination, no problem... walking a few blocks early in the evening, no problem... walking with several friends after the bar or later at night, we are being much more cautiious.. feel fine inside most bars, but more cautious in the dance clubs especially they might have a younger crowd. I no longer will park a few blocks and walk to a destination alone if it is past 12:30ish, and we avoid driving downtown where we have to walk through a lot of crowds to get to our car after the bar. Not scared enough to not come downtown completely. The parking garage on Pelissier is a little creepy and too dark inside and around it, but don't mind the Chatham St. garage. Metal dectectors in the dance clubs would make me feel much safer... catch knives and guns, so maybe people will leave them at home more... I'm quite happy to see the big police prescense.
No Bullet Proof Vests = No Downtown...!
Bullet-Proof Vests should be free for everyone going downtown....!
I'll feel safe as soon as I get my Bullet-Proof Vest.....Then I'll be fine...!!!