Crime is still trending down in the capital city – and in 2020 dramatically so. Yet downtown business and community leaders are more concerned than they have been in years about public perception of how safe the city is to visit.
Alleviating their fears – and the public’s – will be crucial if the downtown is to quickly rebound from the economic crisis created by the ongoing pandemic.
As this week’s cover story reports, the major challenge lies in changing what facts suggest may be false perceptions that the downtown has suddenly become less safe.
Nearly every category of crime has been declining in the city over the last five years, according to statistics reviewed by PBN. Police say last year’s steep drops were due to far fewer people being in the city because of the pandemic.
Ironically, that same dynamic that led to a drop in most crimes also helped fuel concerns about safety. Empty city streets, especially at night, make many people less comfortable than the bustle of a thriving community.
But the downtown and some of its business owners are also still suffering from safety fears fueled by one night of rioting last June that followed national protests over police brutality.
Adding more police to downtown patrols will help fight those negative perceptions, as will a concerted campaign to remind everyone what the restaurants, shops and other attractions have to offer.
COVID-19 vaccines will make more people willing to venture out again this spring. It’s up to business and community leaders to work together on bringing them back downtown.