Before I moved to Halifax four years ago I had people constantly telling me how friendly and safe a place it was. I pictured a place I, a then 19-year-old student, would be able to walk around free of fear of being threatened or harassed. I constantly hear smack talk about places like Toronto, saying how dangerous or sketchy it is, when in reality you can walk home late at night on a well maintained, brightly-lit street you can see more than a block in every direction on. I’ve lived in Halifax’s south and now north end and have never felt safe walking home, even with a friend, let alone by myself. My street certainly has lights, but they are all either out, ready to burn out, or covered by overgrown trees. The sidewalks are so dark most of the time I can barely see what’s on the ground in front of me. Dozens of my classmates have told stories of how they’ve been verbally harassed, followed and even chased home in the area. I don’t know why the area seems so poorly maintained in that way, but in my mind having well-lit streets should be a priority in a place that has the highest rate of reported sexual assaults in the country. —Just trying to get home
This article appears in Sep 11-17, 2014.
Move? I hear Alberta is the cat’s meow…
Now, about the title coordinating with the bitch… it doesn’t.
i guess title would end up a paragraph long (like the anti-capitalist bitch) since it also entails how many city workers are needed to cut down tree branches, hell cut down all the annoying trees, shrubs and telephone junction boxes that perverts may lurk behind, and to round up and chastise all the overly ‘hormonated’ university students who catcall, jeer and sidle lasciviously.
however, if someone has genuinely creeped you out by following you report it to the police. even if they don’t come roaring out with dogs and copters, they make records of complaints. ALL these incidents should be reported. you HAVE been followed right? not just passing on your classmates experiences?
I used to walk in an area that was highly recommended people not go after dark( Uniake square) while drunk. i was only ever once bothered…but it wasnt that bad. When there was a gay bar down on gottigen street(dont know if there is still one there) i passed by a large crowd outside after hours. i was walking past when i heard a “hey you” and not wanting to be rude i turned and asked what was the matter. a gentleman asked” are you straight? i said yes i was, but also asked why he asked. he said i was beautiful. i thanked him for the compliment and carried on safely all the way home. Now…that doesnt mean that this is any safer than any other city. Calgary has the asian gangs, outlying places in alberta have the rig pigs and natives looking for a fight, vancouver are some asian gangs and sikhs on occasion causing problems(not often outside their own communities though) then you got windsor ON, northern ontario, big city ontario, problems there for sure. Then quebec with the anti anglo jerks. newfoundland and capers want to fight everyone with a bit of sauce down range….its creepy everywhere, every place you go has a creep level to it. halifax i agree is sketchier than most places but its where all the population like to hang out
There was a really good play that made its debut at last year’s fringe festival called “The Department of Common Sense” written by local playwrite Ryan Van Horne, which answers that question rather well I though … “How many city workers does it take to screw in a lightbulb?” 🙂
THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION
“I’ve lived in Halifax’s south and now north end and have never felt safe walking home, even with a friend.” Just trying to get home
You have just answered your question, the one about safety not the light bulb.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
Wait… Cuja12… do you mean to tell me that you were “bothered” by the fact someone stopped you and asked if you were gay?
Well that’s a good question, OB, how many indeed? At least 1 journeyman electrician, 2 secretaries, a safety department, 3 managers, a union rep and, a foreman.
^^ you forgot the guy who has to lean on the shovel
Shovel guys only come in threes.
^^ dang I forgot. they are like sports bras in that, there.
When Hurricane Juan came through my then girlfriend and I enjoyed going for evening walks. Our night vision adjusted quite well and honestly we’d prefer a dark city. Did you know there are actually stars in the sky at night?
Woodside community centre offers 10 weeks of women’s self-defense classes for 60 bucks – starting Septmeber! When I walk alone at night; I look a muthafucka right in da eyeballz! COME AT ME, BITCH!
Wait… Cuja12… do you mean to tell me that you were “bothered” by the fact someone stopped you and asked if you were gay?
Mr.Meaty, not not at all. In fact i was quite flattered. What i was bothered with is that i was shouted at, but pleasantly surprised. at first. what i didnt put in was after he said i was beautiful, he also said he wanted me to be his bitch lol…but i figured id leave it pleasant.
no-fool….. dont waste your money on some puffed up pretentious piece of shit “defence class” they are a joke.