Being ranked as the 2nd safest city in the world doesn’t mean you should leave your door unlocked or wander in every part of the city without any care.
Toronto is one of the best multicultural and safest cities in the world but is there anything you should do when you visit? What are the things in Toronto that really make it safe? According to the Numbeo, Toronto ranks at 257th position in 2022 with a crime index of 41.14 and safety index of 58.86. Toronto is one of the 45 Canadian cities ranked in the list.
There are a lot of things that make Toronto safe. The city is multicultural, which means that people from all walks of life feel welcome here. The city has adopted various programs that empower multiculturality. Toronto is perhaps the most multicultural city on the planet. Half of the residents in the city are from outside of Canada, and foreigners come from a wide assortment of nations. This gives Toronto such a powerful character, being addressed by various world societies. Many individuals have referred to Toronto as “the World inside a City” due to its multiculturalism. Toronto offers a wonder of multiple food sources, film, workmanship, and dialects across the city.
It is said that it’s the people that make the city a city itself, which is very true when it comes to Toronto. It is well known that Torontonians are calm, friendly, and welcoming to those who have just moved here. You’ll find people of all age groups thriving here like there are more young and hip crowds near Ryerson university and University of Toronto. Each neighbourhood has a strong sense of community, and people look out for one another.
Additionally, the city has excellent infrastructure, a robust public transportation system and plenty of green space. There are new developments within walking distance of transit like railway stations and bus stops, as well as ensuring that neighbourhoods have a mix of uses where people can walk and bike freely. Toronto surely has better public transit, more bike lanes and less reliance on private cars for moving around the city.
And finally, the police force is very professional and effective.
The Toronto Police Service (TPS) is the police service for Toronto. The TPS has approximately 7,600 full-time and part-time uniform and civilian members including front-line police officers, criminal investigators, community response officers, parking enforcement officers, communications operators, court officers, civilian specialists and support staff.
Working in partnership with communities, the TPS keeps Toronto safe through: Community-based crime prevention initiatives, enforcement for all applicable laws in Toronto, maintaining public order to ensure safe and secure communities, providing emergency response to major threats and public safety risks.
Toronto is a great place to live, work, and visit. Toronto gains the most marks for being ‘The best business city for working women’ by The Bloomberg Women. Toronto crime rates are comparably very low than most Canadian tourist destinations. All of these factors combine to create a safe environment for residents and visitors. It’s an incredibly safe city, but you should still do some things to be as safe as possible.
Here are some tips for staying safe in Toronto.
1. Be aware of your surroundings. This is especially important when you’re walking around at night. Pay attention to who is around you and what they’re doing. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut and move to a different area. There are certain neighbourhoods that can be avoided during night, but other than that, Toronto is safe as there are people on every other street.
2. Use common sense when travelling. I don’t know how I can put it more clearly, but it is the harsh truth. There have been cases of tourists who’ve been the victim of petty crime in Toronto, which to be honest could’ve been avoided if they had been smart with their belongings. Just remember the simple things like don’t leave your belongings unguarded in public places; be cautious of pickpockets in busy areas like the TTC or tourist attractions, etc.
3. Know where the safe areas are. If you’re ever feeling unsafe, there are a number of places you can go for help, including 24-hour subway stations, community centres, and police stations. Most tourist areas are crowded and even at late night there’s people roaming on the streets.
4. Stay alert and be prepared. In addition to being aware of your surroundings, it’s also important to have a plan in case of an emergency. Familiarize yourself with the area and know how to quickly get to a safe place. Keep a note of emergency numbers on you. Locate the nearest police station in the area where you live.
5. Keep in touch with loved ones. Let someone know where you are and when you’ll be back so they can check in on you. This is especially important if you’re travelling alone or in an unfamiliar area. This will help to locate you easily if you’re lost in the city.
By following these simple tips, you can help ensure your safety and enjoy all that Toronto has to offer. Of course, no city is perfect, and some risks are always present. But in general, Toronto is a very safe place to be. If you take some basic precautions and use common sense, you’ll likely never run into any problems. So go ahead and explore all this great city has to offer – you’ll be glad you did!
