Toronto safety perceptions shape mayoral race

Public safety has become a major issue in Toronto’s mayoral campaign, even though police data shows several serious crime measures have improved over the past year and a half. The article says recent highprofile incidents, including shootings and widely shared videos of vehicle thefts, have helped make many residents feel less safe ahead of the Oct. 26 election. A recent Mainstreet Research survey found safety was one of the most important issues for voters, and many respondents said they were very worried about it. Mayor Olivia Chow is pointing to declining crime figures, including lower homicide and auto theft rates since she took office, while challenger Brad Bradford argues that many residents still experience crime in daily life and that the city needs to do more. The campaign debate has highlighted a wider gap between official statistics and public perception.