Personal safety affects the ways we socialize and participate in community life. How are we doing with respect to Safety? You told us: B

Violent crime In 2008, there were 945 violent crimes (murder, assault, sex crimes, robbery and abduction) for every 100,000 people in Greater Victoria up from 915 in 2007. Overall, violent crime in Greater Victoria is down 21.5% since 1991. The violent crime rate in BC in 2008 was considerably higher at 1,137 per 100,000. However, the national rate was lower at 932 per 100,000 in Canada. Grade: C
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Police per capita Greater Victoria had 151 police officers for every 100,000 people in 2008, the same as in 2007. This is considerably less than the provincial and national rates of 184 and 191 police officers per 100,000 respectfully.
Grade: C+
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Resident safety In 2008, 85.7% of Greater Victoria residents usually or always felt safe walking after dark. Grade: B
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Child abuse The child abuse rate in the Capital Region in 2008 was 8.1 for every 1,000 children under the age of 19, down slightly from 8.3 in 2007 and 8.6 in 2006. However, higher than in B.C. overall at 7.5 for every 1,000 children. Grade: C-
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Illicit drug use The three-year average rate of death in 2005-2007 from illicit drugs was 7.5 for every 100,000 people age 19 - 64, up from 6.7 in 2004-2006, and 3.2 in 2003-2005. The average rate in B.C. overall for 2005-2007 was 7.4 deaths. Grade: D+
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Capital Region Crime Rate
(Criminal Code Offences per 1,000 people)
Source: BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

Photo: Artist - Sarah Amos