In downtown Hamilton last week, individuals were interviewed by CBC regarding their perception of safety in the city. Despite feeling somewhat unsafe, these residents were surprised to learn that crime rates in Hamilton have consistently remained below both provincial and national averages over the past five years, as reported by Statistics Canada in July.
Hamilton’s crime severity index, encompassing all Criminal Code violations, drug offenses, and Federal Statutes infractions, places the city below provincial and national benchmarks. Additionally, there has been a continuous decline in the homicide rate over the past three years, with Hamilton maintaining levels below provincial and federal benchmarks since 2021.
Chief Frank Bergen of the Hamilton Police Service acknowledged a disparity between public perception and statistical data during a community safety summit in November. At a separate meeting in May, police shared data indicating that the average “crime harm” rate in downtown Hamilton aligns closely with the rest of the city.
Community advocate Evelyn Myrie highlighted the bold nature of recent crimes, such as the tragic deaths of Belinda Sarkodie and Harsimrat Randhawa in 2025, as a possible reason for residents feeling unsafe. Factors contributing to the perception gap, including social disorder, open drug use, and homelessness, were also discussed by the Hamilton police’s Crime Information and Analysis team.
While overall crime rates in Hamilton have shown a downward trend, hate crimes have seen a notable increase year after year, reaching a peak in 2025. Youth involvement in violent crime, particularly among individuals aged 12 to 17, has also witnessed a rise since 2020.
Mosannef, from the Hamilton police’s Crime Information and Analysis team, emphasized the growing concern of young people involved in criminal activities, such as bear spray attacks and smash-and-grab robberies. The analyst attributed this rise to various factors, including economic disparities, gang recruitment, and the influence of social media.
In addressing the escalating youth crime rates, Mosannef stressed that it is not solely a policing issue but a systemic problem that requires community-wide intervention and collaboration beyond Hamilton’s borders.
