Niagara Regional Police survey reveals declining community safety perceptions

The Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) has released the results of its 2026 Community Safety Survey, which serves as a baseline for the Niagara Police Service Board’s 2026–2029 Strategic Plan. The survey, which collected 2,313 responses, reveals a discrepancy between local and regional safety perceptions. While 69% of respondents feel safe or very safe in their own neighborhoods, only 45% feel the same regarding the Niagara region as a whole.

Notably, 64% of participants believe community safety has worsened over the past year. The lowest levels of perceived safety were reported in downtown areas, as well as in parks, trails, transit, and at road intersections. Regarding police presence, 30% of respondents felt police had become less visible in their communities over the last year.

Feedback on direct interactions with the NRPS was generally positive, with 75% reporting professional treatment and 73% reporting they were treated with respect. However, service-delivery metrics were lower: only 57% reported reasonable response times, 53% understood the next steps in their cases, and 48% felt they received the necessary support.