When questioned by CBC in downtown Hamilton last week about the city’s safety, most individuals expressed varying degrees of unease. Surprisingly, these same individuals were taken aback upon learning from a reporter that crime rates in Hamilton have consistently remained below both provincial and national averages over the past five years. This information was based on data released by Statistics Canada in July.
The statistics indicate that Hamilton’s crime severity index, encompassing all Criminal Code violations, drug offenses, and Federal Statutes violations, places the city below provincial and national averages. Moreover, Hamilton has witnessed a continuous decline in homicide rates for the past three years, staying below provincial and federal levels since 2021.
Hamilton Police Service Chief Frank Bergen highlighted a disparity between public perceptions and actual data. Despite positive trends in the city’s crime severity index, Chief Bergen noted a prevailing sense of insecurity among residents. This sentiment was echoed at a community safety summit in November.
At a separate community gathering in May, the police shared data suggesting that the average “crime harm” rate in downtown Hamilton is comparable to the rest of the city. Community advocate Evelyn Myrie, who moderated a panel at the November summit, attributed the feeling of unsafety to the boldness of recent criminal incidents, such as the tragic deaths of Belinda Sarkodie and Harsimrat Randhawa in 2025.
While overall crime rates in Hamilton have shown a downward trajectory, hate crimes have been on the rise year after year, reaching a peak in 2025. Similarly, youth involvement in violent crimes, particularly among individuals aged 12 to 17, has seen a gradual increase since 2020. This trend was highlighted by Daniel Mosannef and Samantha Henderson from the Crime Information and Analysis team at Hamilton Police.
Analysts attribute the surge in youth involvement in violent crimes to various factors, including incidents of bear spray attacks, assault charges against minors as young as 11, and high-profile smash-and-grab robberies in the region. Of the homicide victims in Hamilton this year, a significant portion were teenagers, indicating a concerning trend.
Mosannef emphasized that addressing youth crime requires a comprehensive approach beyond policing. Factors contributing to this issue may include economic disparities, gang recruitment, and the influence of social media. He underscored the need for a collective effort from the community, province, and country to tackle this complex challenge.