Danger
in California from a Canadian Perspective
Having been to California many times since
childhood, it has become one of my favourite places to visit despite some of the
dangers that lie there. To most of us, going to California means going to the
beaches and boardwalks, getting sun, going to amusement parks, shopping and
relaxing. One can do all these activities in California, but like any other
vacation destination, it has its dangers.
Arriving from the Vancouver Airport to the Los Angeles
airport is like stepping into an unknown world. In Canada, one is accustomed to
friendly Canadians and Tim Hortons, but in Los Angeles it is not the same.
There is constantly a feeling of someone looking at you from far away and one
cannot help but wonder what they are thinking. The crime rate in Los Angeles is
high. In the airport it is advised to listen to the announcements warning
travelers not to leave bags unattended. Once you get a book and some dollar
bills stolen like myself, one rethinks actions and moves.
Even with the numerous security persons in the airport, one still does
not feel secure, and protected.
Stepping into the streets of LA is much different than
going shopping downtown in Vancouver.
The stores may be there, but the mood is much different.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is no exception.
From pick pockets, to dealers, and the homeless dressed in Disney
costumes begging for money, you do not feel very safe.
There are strange people out there, and the Walk of Fame holds many of
them. One usually does not
experience this type of atmosphere in Vancouver or even Canada.
One
may think the beaches in California are perfectly safe places to go, but they
are just another place one must be on the lookout.
Walking down a street in Venice beach my family and I witnessed many
tourist families being offered medical marijuana.
Being from Canada, this is not always the most normal occurrence. While relaxing on the beach, leaving a
bag unattended is not a good idea.
In Vancouver, I feel as though we are more trusting of people and can
step away from our bag without a terrified feeling, but in California, I can’t
say the same. Within a minute,
sunglasses were taken from on top of my bag, while I made the mistake of going
for a swim.
In the states, news reports are all about bad news, and California is no
different. Turning on the t.v. in
the morning means finding out ‘who killed who,’ where the last break in and
murder was, and what criminal is on the loose. Positive news headlines rarely exist in
this state. It’s all about the
crime. It seems in Canada people
like to hear about positive stories, like people who have overcome obstacles or
set new records, and especially sports.
News in California has a very different feel and tone to it then in
Canada, but it is just more proof that crime in California is high.
Since the
crime rate in California is higher than provinces in Canada, know where you’re
going, know where you’re staying, and don’t take that scenic route the man at
the gas station told you to take, because California is nothing like
Canada.
in California from a Canadian Perspective
Having been to California many times since
childhood, it has become one of my favourite places to visit despite some of the
dangers that lie there. To most of us, going to California means going to the
beaches and boardwalks, getting sun, going to amusement parks, shopping and
relaxing. One can do all these activities in California, but like any other
vacation destination, it has its dangers.
Arriving from the Vancouver Airport to the Los Angeles
airport is like stepping into an unknown world. In Canada, one is accustomed to
friendly Canadians and Tim Hortons, but in Los Angeles it is not the same.
There is constantly a feeling of someone looking at you from far away and one
cannot help but wonder what they are thinking. The crime rate in Los Angeles is
high. In the airport it is advised to listen to the announcements warning
travelers not to leave bags unattended. Once you get a book and some dollar
bills stolen like myself, one rethinks actions and moves.
Even with the numerous security persons in the airport, one still does
not feel secure, and protected.
Stepping into the streets of LA is much different than
going shopping downtown in Vancouver.
The stores may be there, but the mood is much different.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is no exception.
From pick pockets, to dealers, and the homeless dressed in Disney
costumes begging for money, you do not feel very safe.
There are strange people out there, and the Walk of Fame holds many of
them. One usually does not
experience this type of atmosphere in Vancouver or even Canada.
One
may think the beaches in California are perfectly safe places to go, but they
are just another place one must be on the lookout.
Walking down a street in Venice beach my family and I witnessed many
tourist families being offered medical marijuana.
Being from Canada, this is not always the most normal occurrence. While relaxing on the beach, leaving a
bag unattended is not a good idea.
In Vancouver, I feel as though we are more trusting of people and can
step away from our bag without a terrified feeling, but in California, I can’t
say the same. Within a minute,
sunglasses were taken from on top of my bag, while I made the mistake of going
for a swim.
In the states, news reports are all about bad news, and California is no
different. Turning on the t.v. in
the morning means finding out ‘who killed who,’ where the last break in and
murder was, and what criminal is on the loose. Positive news headlines rarely exist in
this state. It’s all about the
crime. It seems in Canada people
like to hear about positive stories, like people who have overcome obstacles or
set new records, and especially sports.
News in California has a very different feel and tone to it then in
Canada, but it is just more proof that crime in California is high.
Since the
crime rate in California is higher than provinces in Canada, know where you’re
going, know where you’re staying, and don’t take that scenic route the man at
the gas station told you to take, because California is nothing like
Canada.