August 30, 2024

Crime Rates & Community Impact

Did you lock your car doors last night? What about your front door?

Often, it’s simply a habit - you come home at night, park your car in your driveway, and go inside without a second thought. If someone asked you, you might not even recall if you remembered to lock any doors on the way in.

I would assume most of us lock our car doors & our front doors before we go to sleep - again, just out of habit. But how many times have you forgotten? How many times have you woken in the morning to find your car rummaged through or been scared someone might have come into your home uninvited overnight?

I would hope the answer for most of us is not too often.

If you live in Guelph, most neighbourhoods are relatively safe, with Guelph ranking quite highly in the safest communities in Canada.

The Crime Severity Index (CSI) is used by Statistics Canada to count the number of police-reported incidents that have occurred. Each type of offence is given a seriousness “weight” and helps to determine if police-reported crime is more or less serious than previously or if the volume has increased (read more about it here). The number of incidents & their weight are summed up and divided by the population to give a standardized measure. This gives a more accurate picture of occurring crimes, since it reflects both the volume & severity of crimes in the region. The CSI for Guelph in 2022 was 59.70, dropping to 55.52 in 2023, coming in under the national average - meaning Guelph has less crime (or less severe crimes) than the average city.

While we are fortunate to live in a safe city, it is a well-known fact that when crime rates go up, house prices go down. Violent crimes have a significant psychological impact that heavily influence financial decisions - many home buyers will avoid homes that have been the site of violent acts.

Interestingly however, non-violent crimes, like theft, can have virtually no impact on property values, due to the fact that crimes like these are perceived to be preventable.

‘Hotspots’ for crime are described as geographic areas where the occurrence of crime is frequent. Although it may not be an area that is visible to the eye, the presence of crime in these areas is stable over time. This is often due to various social factors, such as neglected properties, lack of social cohesion, & lack of community amenities.

While the fear of violent crime drives down home prices, it’s interesting to note that it is the lack of community in these high crime areas that also heavily contributes to lower home prices. High crime rates aren’t impacting home prices only due to feelings of fear or uncertainty, but also the lack of community involvement and contributions in those areas.

High crime rates can contribute to the decline of local businesses, public parks, & community events. Schools in areas with higher crime rates may also have lower student performance or reduced parent involvement. It is this lack of community that can actually often deter buyers from moving there - not just the risk or fear of crime.

Community is often something we highlight when helping homebuyers look for their next place of residence. Looking at crime rates & their implications really highlights how important community truly is. What a powerful reminder of how important it is to invest in your community - and what can happen when you don’t!

So, what are some ways to keep your home & community safe from crime, no matter where you’re living?

Residential break-ins are typically crimes of opportunity, so often certain properties like corner lots, homes that back onto parks or open spaces, and property that doesn’t appear maintained or lived-in are targeted. Ensure the exterior of your home is maintained, as ill-maintained homes are targeted more frequently.

Make sure you have secure locks on your home & that you remember to use them! Locking cars, garages, and other doors will help eliminate any crimes of opportunity. Keep your blinds & curtains drawn to avoid people being able to peek inside if you’re not home.

Get to know your neighbours! By building community, you are also building trust with those around you & can also help to look out for each other. Building a strong community will also help you to feel more secure & at ease in your neighbourhood.

Ready to find a home in a safe & thriving community? Contact us today for expert guidance on finding the right community that meets your safety needs or for tips on how to make your home safer for your family.

Thanks for reading & stay safe out there!

Stefanie Kuizenga

This week’s piece is brought to you by the other face behind the blog! Stefanie Kuizenga is the editor & publisher of the weekly blog, assisting in bringing Paul’s ideas to life across various platforms.

Stefanie graduated from the University of Guelph in 2023 with a degree in English and quickly discovered her passion for both marketing and Real Estate. She began her full-time career at Keller Williams Home Group Realty shortly after graduation, and is excited to see where this path takes her in the future.

With a talent for blending her love of writing with design, Stefanie enjoys assisting Paul in crafting compelling and impactful messages that resonate with our audience.

Sources:

Full Article: Do Crime Hot Spots Affect Housing Prices?, www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2578983X.2019.1662595. Accessed 30 Aug. 2024.

Hashizume, Ken. “Statcan Says Crime in Guelph Saw Slight Increase, Still One of Safest Cities in Canada.” Global News, Global News, 1 Aug. 2023, globalnews.ca/news/9867232/guelph-crime-slight-increase/.

Maximino, Martin. “The Impact of Crime on Property Values: Research Roundup.” The Journalist’s Resource, 3 Dec. 2020, journalistsresource.org/economics/the-impact-of-crime-on-property-values-research-roundup/.

“Protecting Yourself and Your Property.” Peel Regional Police, www.peelpolice.ca/en/safety-tips/protecting-yourself-and-your-property.aspx#Know-Your-Neighbours. Accessed 30 Aug. 2024.

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