Crime 🚨

A recently released Siena poll says crime is a top concern for voters this year. Which I find very odd, living in suburbs where I’m not aware of much crime occurring. Maybe I don’t own a television or read the local news but I’ve certainly never been the victim of a crime or had anything really to worry much about.

Most of my material things that I own are pretty worn out and have very little value so I don’t think anybody is likely to steal it. Breaking and entering my apartment is might get somebody an older Big Buddy Heater or a broken bicycle. Even my computer monitor is ten years old, my laptop is six years old. I guess my 22 rifle or shotgun I use for rabbit and squirrel hunting has some value but even that’s not fancy.

I used to run into panhandlers when I would occasionally park on Western Avenue and walk down Central Ave to work but they might be able a bit gruff but I never had any real issue with them. I used to walk down to John Wolcott’s house before it burned in Sheridan Hollow and while sometimes it involved stepping over garbage bags at dusk I don’t think I ever ran into too many dangerous people.

Honestly, I think people’s fear of crime really is overblown. Crime rates have fallen dramatically over the years if you look at statistics. I do agree that it probably makes sense to lock doors and secure valuable property when you are leaving for an extended period but I don’t think there are that many criminals prowling around – but sometimes if there is an opportunity to take advantage – people will.