Good morning from the Fundy shore — the tide's turning, and so is New Brunswick. Let's get into it.
## Your Saint John is safer than you think
Now, I'll tell you what, there’s been some chatter around the city about our crime severity index jumping up. New Brunswick was the only province in Canada that saw an increase last year, and Saint John is naturally a big part of that number. But before you start thinking we need to board up the windows down on King Street or get nervous walking through Rockwood Park, let's pump the brakes a touch, right? An expert says this doesn’t mean our city is suddenly less safe, and that's a point worth diving into.
The core facts are this: the crime severity index (CSI) is a measure of both the *volume* and *seriousness* of reported crime. So, if we see an increase, it means either more crimes are being reported, or more serious crimes are being reported. What the expert is suggesting, and what makes a lot of sense if you think about it, is that a higher CSI doesn't automatically mean Saint John is a more dangerous place to live or visit. It often reflects a shift in reporting, better police work, or even just more people being comfortable coming forward. It’s a statistic, not a feeling, and those two things don't always line up, eh?
What This Means for Saint John:
* **It's about data, not necessarily danger:** An increase in the CSI can be influenced by many factors beyond just an increase in actual crime. * **Reporting matters:** Sometimes, a jump means more people are reporting incidents, which can actually be a good sign of community trust in law enforcement. * **Context is key:** You can't just look at one number and draw conclusions about the whole city. Our uptown core is still vibrant, and our neighbourhoods, from the North End to the South End, are still full of good people.
We've got our challenges, like any city, but Saint John is a resilient place, and our community spirit is strong. Don't let a single stat make you think twice about grabbing a coffee at the City Market or taking in the view from the Skywalk.
Caleb Duguay-Firth, MiTL Sports Desk, Saint John.
The crew over on the morning show dive into these numbers every day – tune in live at mornings.live.