I've been thinking about this lately, and it always becomes sharper in my mind whenever I hear about some shooting tragedy because you know we're never short of that here right.
So I looked it up and apparently the US is 101st safest country in the world, which is, well, terrible.
I lamented to my H about my fear of terrorism attacks and /or mass shootings that could affect me or my loved ones. He thinks I am being irrational as we live in a very safe area of the USA. It's true, but apparently MA is the 20th most dangerous state and my city is something like 50th most dangerous of of 70 so not terrible but not super by any means.
so we live in a mid-dangerous area, in a country that is one of the more dangerous in the world. Yet I generally "feel" safe. I wonder how much perceived safety matters though.
Post by TrudyCampbell on Aug 26, 2015 12:31:53 GMT -5
I feel so safe in NYC even though I should probably be afraid of both murderers and terrorists, lol.
I feel more unsafe in less populated areas, which again is probably the opposite of how I should feel. I get real anxiety thinking about living in a house in the suburbs. I wouldn't want a piece of property that was too big, I want neighbors close by.
Post by thedahliharpa on Aug 26, 2015 12:33:55 GMT -5
Well, we live in the safest big city in the country but all big public spaces we go to are almost always in other cities. I mean they found a guy getting ready to take gun into fucking Disneyland. It shouldn't be like this.
I feel very safe in my town. As in I don't worry about locking my car or doors if we walk to the park. We're about 30 minutes outside the city. I probably should be more cautious.
Apparently Buffalo was rated either first or second for most dangerous (or something along those lines)city in NYS. For the most part I feel safe downtown, I don't go wandering around the east side at night though.
also in the list I found, Ireland was ranked highly at I think #12 for safest country in the world. However, when I am there I feel less safe than I do here. Probably because my parents live in the city however and therefore the crime is probably higher than the average in the country.
but, there are few guns there so most crimes are more like stabbings and beatings. Still terrible of course, but it's less scary than a country like this where the gun control is poor / gun ownership is rampant.
But say, walking around in the dark/late at night. I would be much more afraid to do that around my parents house than I would around where I live here. In fact, over christmas my gigantic husband got attacked TWICE just trying to walk back from a bar to my parents house.
But I'm guessing it's because I live in the burbs here. Like, maybe if I lived in inner city boston (I'm not talking about brookline here lol) I'd feel more afraid.
Yes. Looking up where Chicago is on the list wouldn't mean anything since its ranking would be dangerous because of the gang violence. I don't feel "unsafe" in areas of the city with more violence because the violence isn't targeted at me. But I would be worried about getting caught in crossfire, which unfortunately happens so often here.
I felt safer in NYC in that sense. There was no part of the city I considered "dangerous" to go to. There are obviously shootings there, but it's very different than Chicago. Our shooting numbers here are in the double digits every weekend.
In terms of terrorism, I feel safer in Chicago than I did in NYC even though it's still a large high profile city. Being in NYC for 9/11 probably has something to do with that.
And then the random shootings like at movie theaters and stuff could happen anywhere.
I remember Ouiser once saying that she couldn't understand why anyone would want to live in Chicago since it's sooo dangerous (I remember you were super pissed @chelsmonster). But she's an idiot.
One thing that I do think about: sending Jamie to a preschool at a highly visible synagogue. I have moments of anxiety that it would be targeted by terrorists.
Post by onehitwonder on Aug 26, 2015 12:38:55 GMT -5
Since I live in the suburbs, I used to feel a whole lot safer, but that level of comfort is gradually decreasing. The random acts of violence just seem to be happening more frequently, even in my little niche of the world. I work and play in the city, but over the last few months, I am increasingly wary of spending time there and have begun to look for more alternatives closer to home.
also in the list I found, Ireland was ranked highly at I think #12 for safest country in the world. However, when I am there I feel less safe than I do here. Probably because my parents live in the city however and therefore the crime is probably higher than the average in the country.
but, there are few guns there so most crimes are more like stabbings and beatings. Still terrible of course, but it's less scary than a country like this where the gun control is poor / gun ownership is rampant.
But say, walking around in the dark/late at night. I would be much more afraid to do that around my parents house than I would around where I live here. In fact, over christmas my gigantic husband got attacked TWICE just trying to walk back from a bar to my parents house.
But I'm guessing it's because I live in the burbs here. Like, maybe if I lived in inner city boston (I'm not talking about brookline here lol) I'd feel more afraid.
C25K...it works Seaside 5K...........40:45(2012) Turkey Trot..........41:30(2012)/37:08(2013)/37:40(2014) St Pat's 5K..........39:27(2013)/38:48(2014)/35:12(2015) Belair Town Run......38:09(2013)/36:27(2014) Back To Football 5K..37:36(2013)/43:44(2015) Balt Run Fest 5K.....34:59(2013)/41:50(2014)/35:54(2015)
I am a worrier so, no? I lock all doors, windows, car doors. It's not like we live in a high crime area but stuff happens and I think about said stuff quite a bit.
As for the random shootings that occur...that freaks me out even more. Is anyone really safe out in public anymore? The fact that I even think this terrifies me. I worry about sending M to school, worry about going to the mall, worry about going to a movie. It's sad, scary, sickening.
I feel so safe in NYC even though I should probably be afraid of both murderers and terrorists, lol.
I feel more unsafe in less populated areas, which again is probably the opposite of how I should feel. I get real anxiety thinking about living in a house in the suburbs. I wouldn't want a piece of property that was too big, I want neighbors close by.
More people = more safe in my mind
Substitute Boston for NYC and ditto the above.
When I go back to where I grew up, I feel anxious. Suburbia creeps me out. Who might be hiding behind the garage when I take out the trash? Or in the bushes along the driveway? Or peering into the back sliders? No thanks!!
I'll take the elevator in my locked, secure, in a populated location building to my 5th floor loft over land and a big house any day.
Post by honeybee503 on Aug 26, 2015 12:47:31 GMT -5
I've always felt like Maine is a safe state, but a few weeks ago a woman was randomly killed in a grocery store and that terrifies me. It was so shocking. Our governor sucks and is making all sorts of cuts to mental health programs and resources, so that doesn't really help any.
Yes. I feel very safe. Except when Thad was getting his haircut and I looked out the window and there was a dude with a gun WALKING AROUND THE PARKING LOT! I was about to grab Thad and duck and cover.
Then, I realized that he was a "citizen watchdog" protecting the Army recruiting office next door. I didn't feel great, but I no longer thought I was about to be on a news report.
What does "safest" even mean? I am an advocate for stronger gun control laws, but that kind of list makes me roll my eyes a bit. Cyprus is high on that list. Qatar. Greece.
Now that I mention feeling safe here we do have a suspected serial killer in the town that hasn't been caught. The person has shot and killed a biker and a pedestrian and also shot another pedestrian this summer.
I feel so safe in NYC even though I should probably be afraid of both murderers and terrorists, lol.
I feel more unsafe in less populated areas, which again is probably the opposite of how I should feel. I get real anxiety thinking about living in a house in the suburbs. I wouldn't want a piece of property that was too big, I want neighbors close by.
More people = more safe in my mind
Substitute Boston for NYC and ditto the above.
When I go back to where I grew up, I feel anxious. Suburbia creeps me out. Who might be hiding behind the garage when I take out the trash? Or in the bushes along the driveway? Or peering into the back sliders? No thanks!!
I'll take the elevator in my locked, secure, in a populated location building to my 5th floor loft over land and a big house any day.
I always felt really safe in my doorman building in NYC. I still feel safe in my house in Chicago, but having a super comprehensive alarm system is a big reason for that feeling of safety.
Especially since Cubs fans are known to do wacky drunken things after a win at night. Like pee in my neighbor's backyard. Or smash in the door of my house thinking they lived here (this happened before we moved here and there is a much sturdier door in place now).
No. I hate not feeling safe where I live. No one should have feel like that. I can't wait to move. I don't usually go outside late at night. I don't run around my neighborhood or take the kids for walks. Someone has tried to break into our house twice in broad daylight since L was born and my car has been broken into while in my drive way right by our door. There have been two shootings very close to my house since we moved here. There was another just a couple of weeks ago two hours after I drove past the exact spot it occurred with E. I was returning from urgent care. The town tries to make it better, but it's always pretty bad during the summer.
Post by sunshineluv on Aug 26, 2015 13:00:56 GMT -5
I feel safe.
I heard on the radio this morning (and I can't for the life of me remember what the story was about), but the guy stated how peoples fears are generally illogical. There are so many people who don't worry as much about the food they eat vs worrying about a plane crash. What we eat is so much more likely to effect our lifespan and health. He said people's fears about what they see on the news, aren't the things they should fear the most.
I am not quoting him well, but I thought he made a very valid point.
Sometimes it feels impossible not to worry about tragic events happening to our loved ones, but the statistical probability is low.
also in the list I found, Ireland was ranked highly at I think #12 for safest country in the world. However, when I am there I feel less safe than I do here. Probably because my parents live in the city however and therefore the crime is probably higher than the average in the country.
but, there are few guns there so most crimes are more like stabbings and beatings. Still terrible of course, but it's less scary than a country like this where the gun control is poor / gun ownership is rampant.
But say, walking around in the dark/late at night. I would be much more afraid to do that around my parents house than I would around where I live here. In fact, over christmas my gigantic husband got attacked TWICE just trying to walk back from a bar to my parents house.
But I'm guessing it's because I live in the burbs here. Like, maybe if I lived in inner city boston (I'm not talking about brookline here lol) I'd feel more afraid.
What do you mean he was attacked?
I believe this is how it went (I wasn't there, he was alone) First, as he was walking through town (it was late, like 1am maybe later) a guy asked him for a cigarette. My H couldn't understand him at first as he was eastern european and had a thick accent, so the guy got pissed at him. Then he finally understood and said, no I don't smoke. The guy punched him in the face. My H was understandably extremely shocked, as I said he's a very large person and he said this guy was small so it was very bizarre. He reacted by grabbing the guy and slamming him into the wall then running off.
Then he was walking up the hill to my parents house and a small group of teenagers were walking by (15, 16 year olds, skinny, etc.) and they started yelling to him "hey what are you looking at??" my H was like.. umm what the hell is going on here. So he kept walking but they crossed the road and started attempting to attack him
now they were young and skinny therefore they weren't very successful, I think he said he kicked one of them as they were trying to punch him and said just get away from me!! and they obviously maybe then noticed his size?
but my h was just horrified by the whole situation. He was freaking out when he came home, he woke me up and was crying and shaking.
It worried me because while gun crime doesn't really happen there, people do carry knives.
My brother has also been attacked in a similar fashion by a roving pack of bored teenagers. They beat him up.
Post by creamsiclechica on Aug 26, 2015 13:08:08 GMT -5
No, but I have general anxiety that revolves around terrorist activity and general distrust of the gun toting uneducated American as a whole. And now we are living on an island armed to the teeth (but luckily less armed civilians) and closer to North Korea, so I have irrational fears related to those two things.
I feel very safe. Partly because the town I live in is fairly safe ( our police log is made up almost entirely of people calling about bats and turkeys - no joke), but also because I believe in statistics, and the culture of fear/ 24 hour news world that we live in makes everything seem so much worse than it really is (although I 100% acknowledge that our country is majorly fucked up with guns. I hate guns)
I also am just someone who isn't overly anxious about stuff like this in general. Maybe I have my head in the sand, but I like living my life with reasonable precaution and not having fear or worry dictate my feelings.
I'm waaaaaay more anxious about my kids someday doing drugs, or being unhappy in life than about crime. That is what I focus on, lol.
Post by dixeedeluxe on Aug 26, 2015 13:18:16 GMT -5
I did not feel safe when I lived .36 miles away from where I live now. Two shootings and a hostage situation in the past week over on the north side of Main St. But somehow that .36 miles has made all the difference.
C25K...it works Seaside 5K...........40:45(2012) Turkey Trot..........41:30(2012)/37:08(2013)/37:40(2014) St Pat's 5K..........39:27(2013)/38:48(2014)/35:12(2015) Belair Town Run......38:09(2013)/36:27(2014) Back To Football 5K..37:36(2013)/43:44(2015) Balt Run Fest 5K.....34:59(2013)/41:50(2014)/35:54(2015)