Lesson 2: Emotions and Criminal Behaviour

13 - Criminal Statistics

To many people, our world is becoming more and more violent and burdened with crime. News on television and radio carry detailed stories of the latest victims and their aggressors. The newspapers are full of ongoing incidents of crime. Some conclude that crime is increasing in epidemic proportions. But is that perception accurate?

Are Crime Rates Increasing?

Of course, a great deal of crime is not reported to the police for various reasons. In 1993, household break and enters were the crimes most likely reported to the police and sexual assaults were the least likely reported crimes. The only crime that showed a substantial increase in reporting to police was robbery. Sometimes crimes are not reported because they are perceived to be too minor; victims feel the police could do nothing about it anyway. In some cases, there may be a fear of revenge, or deep feelings of shame. Half of the people in Canada reported that they keep their doors locked at all times, even when they are at home. About two-thirds of Canadians say they still feel safe walking in their own neighbourhoods at night, but each year people are reporting more concerns about their safety.

With these statistics in mind, why do people have the perception that crime rates are increasing dramatically? An increase in crime statistics makes the news because the media finds such information gains attention from the public. Crime rates that tend to remain stable or even decrease slightly are considered a bit boring. People tend to focus on information that is dramatic, vivid, intense, and somewhat frightening.

People are most concerned with situations where they will become victims of violent crimes. Statistics such as those you examined for the city of Edmonton indicate that Canadians are not at a higher risk of this happening today than they were five years earlier.