Living with a physical disability, I know I can’t defend myself if someone tries to rob me - or worse, take my life in a drug-fueled rage. I’m defenseless. That reality weighs on me every time I step outside.
It wasn’t always like this. Just 10 years ago, I could walk my local beachfront without a second thought. There was no constant fear of being randomly attacked. You didn’t need to watch your back or wonder if you’d make it home safe. And if something did happen, strangers would rush in to help.
Now? People run the other way. Comforting, isn’t it? (That’s sarcasm, by the way.)
These days, you’re at risk even when someone just asks you for change. You hope they’ll accept a “sorry, I don’t have any” instead of turning on you. Thankfully, I haven’t had any direct issues - but that’s mostly because I limit how often I leave my home. Fear has become my shield.
Even something as routine as pumping gas feels unsafe. My head has to stay on a swivel, constantly scanning my surroundings in case someone approaches to rob or carjack me. That paranoia isn’t random - it’s rooted in how unsafe Ontario, and Canada in general, has become.
Criminals commit a crime, get released the same day, and go right back out and do it again. It’s not just me - frustration is growing across the province. For those of us living with disabilities, it’s even worse because safety is already a huge concern. Being defenseless makes you an easy target.
And let’s not forget the crimes committed by kids. Thanks to the Young Offenders Act, many between the ages of 12 and 18 feel like they can commit crimes without consequences. Why stop if you know you’ll get away with it? In Canada, you end up fearing both the young and the old, because anyone could be a threat.
Public transit? Thankfully, I don’t need it, but I can imagine the stress and constant anxiety that comes with using it every day.
So yes, now you understand why I no longer feel safe in Canada. It feels like the government doesn’t care about its citizens’ safety. They’re either dragging their feet or living in such privileged bubbles that they can’t relate to what ordinary people face.
If something happened to me, would anyone care? Honestly, I don’t think so. Crime has become so normalized here that people are desensitized. And because laws prevent us from defending ourselves, criminals have no fear. They break into homes, attack people, and walk away knowing the system will barely punish them.
Many crimes don't even stem from poverty but from the opportunity to make a quick buck. What’s terrifying is knowing you’re an easy target. I just want to feel safe again in my community. I want to believe the government takes crimes against its citizens seriously, but right now, it doesn’t.
Even going to the mall feels risky. Smash-and-grabs are now common sights - young men in hoodies pulling out hammers, shattering glass cases, and walking out with whatever they want. It’s unsettling, and it feeds into my anxiety every time I step outside.
All I can say is this: I hope nothing ever happens to me. And I hope, one day, I can feel safe again in the community and country I live in.
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