Staying safe
How safe do you feel in this city?
I’m finding it’s all relative.
Now that I have a teenager living with me (my Little Sister who’s attending college in the city) her safety is, of course, top of mind, and I suppose I’m thinking like a parent now. (I’m childless, otherwise.)
She knows that she can call me for a ride from anywhere, anytime, no matter the hour or that I get up at 3 a.m. and a midnight call might not be my favourite thing to receive! Still, I’d be up and on my way in a heartbeat. That’s what parents and pseudo-parents do.
But when it comes to my own safety, I ask you this: I’m moving in a week and my new route to the radio station will no longer take me past a coffee shop drive-thru. There is a walk-in only outlet on my way but, at 3:30 in the morning, should I stop and go in to buy a couple of cups of java or is it too risky, even in a so-called “good” neighbourhood?
I’m on the fence about it. I’m not a scaredy cat by any means but I also don’t like to take any unnecessary chances. Still, we’re talking about hot, delicious coffee that we cannot get within the station’s walls! And my beloved colleagues are counting on me. Your input is welcome.
September 19th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
I do not think that Toronto is that bad that one cannot go for coffee. There are still some good people living here. But still one has to be very careful what you are carrying, like your purse. Park the car in a very lit area, or right in front of the coffee shop so everyone in the shop can see you.
September 20th, 2007 at 6:01 am
Lisa mentioned that her beloved colleagues are counting on her to get their coffee, I think that also her sister is counting on her to stay around as she is acting as her parant why to take this chance even if you think it is a very small probability but still there is a chance of getting hurt, is it wort it??
September 20th, 2007 at 6:34 am
Lisa, why not brew your own? There’s a lot of great coffee available (no, not the sludge beans they sell at the grocery stores) at places like Second Cup or Timothy’s or some of the more esoteric coffe shops about town.
That way, you don’t have to worry about getting out of the car, you get a quality brew and even better is you might save a loonie or two!
Best,
Kevin
September 20th, 2007 at 6:55 am
Go for it, I am 61 and have been going into coffee shops on my way to work at 4:00 am for the past 20 years. Think of the poor staff who work there alone most of the time. As a parent I would not let my children work that shift but as an adult I have no fear for myself. Just check the place out through the window before you go in. Take back the night girl!!!!!!!!!
September 20th, 2007 at 7:00 am
Go for it I am 61 and have been going into coffee shops fairly regularly at 4:00 am for the past 20 years. Never know anyone in the shop, they are usually empty, staff I get to know well.Think of those poor staff who work there alone most nights. As a parent I would not allow any of my children work that shift, as an adult I have no fear for myself. Just check the place out through the window before you go in. “Take back the night” girl!!!!!!!!!!!
September 20th, 2007 at 8:21 am
Lisa - read your blog with respect to safety - I don’t know, but at 3:30am I would wait to get to the office to get a cup of coffee than going to the walk-in place - drive-thru maybe, but walk-in I wouldn’t. Good luck with the move!
September 20th, 2007 at 10:40 am
Lisa: I think one of the men to go get coffee for a change. Why has it your chore? No more Ms. Nice Person - put your foot down!
Conversely, 680News could ask some if any coffee franchise wants to supply coffee for the early crew - good advertising for them.
September 20th, 2007 at 11:18 am
Hi Lisa:
Long-time listener, new to your blog so here’s a first-time post.
On that new coffee stop - think you may have a bit of an advantage since working in the newsroom provides you with lots of information of what’s safe and unsafe in our (sorry, your - I live in Richmond Hill but travel through and to the city for work) relatively safe city.
Armed with that information, you can do homebound-stop to case the joint, so to speak, and at least get a daytime feel for the place.
Personally, I can’t think of many places that would be a problem early in the morning but, then again, I’m a male and an optimist.
Just MHO, of course!!!
September 20th, 2007 at 11:35 am
How about your own homemade brew of java? A good coffee maker, a good bean producer, a good coffee bean grinder and a good thermos! Why is it that homemade everything is always better…..except for coffee?
My second comment is in reference to safety in the city. It always surprises me when people make comments like ” I can’t beleive this has happened in our neighbourhood!” I always want to ask them, where they THINK this crime should have happened? Although there are some sections of town that might house more perpetrators, they do commit their crimes where they see opportunity, day or night! If everyone developed the attitude that they must be vigilant at all times, no matter where they are, people might be less susceptible to having a crime committed against them! Complacency has no place in our lives any more!
Good luck with your quest to find your morning java!
September 20th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Go for it…you cannot live your life in fear…just be cautious at all times..regardless if it is day or night.
There is a great Tim Hortons (24 hours) on Parliament Street (just south of Wellesley) in Cabbagetown. It is not too far from the stationand is in a well-lit area. There is also parking on the street. I have been there on occasion in the early morning hours and have felt very safe. The staff are very nice also.
September 21st, 2007 at 8:41 am
There has to be another Timmies just around the corner with a drive through … fear cannot rule your life but being safe and secure is something I wouldn’t give up. When I worked downtown, I had no fear driving into work, parking my car and walking a few seconds to work. But when my parking space was moved and that walk turned into a mini-marathon, my fear factor increased. Never in my life have I been so afraid as when walking downtown at 5 a.m. with all the street people all around. Being approached by three men as you walk and them asking you for money is not something I will remember fondly, and if this was a one off thing so be it. But every other day, this would happen and terrify me. Yay! … for no longer working at King and Bay. You know what? If stopping on the street and getting out and grabbing coffee for everyone is important to you then do it … just don’t do it on a clock type regularity. Be safe.
September 23rd, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Thank you for all of your suggestions.
There is one location that’s in my new, direct path to the station. It has no drive-thru but it’s in a so-called “good neighbourhood”. I am going to give the walk-in thing a try and “take back the night”!
Brewing my own is a wise idea but this particular stop is to pick up coffees for other members of the team, too. I don’t mind doing it when it’s easy but I’m not about to start mixing cups of coffee to their specific tastes! (One double-double, one just milk…) The next thing you know, they’ll have me making omelets in the radio station’s kitchen.
September 25th, 2007 at 8:56 am
I think the omelet idea is a great one, Lisa!
Please save some for me when I get in… And I like my coffee black, one sugar.
September 25th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Just cheese or would you like mushrooms and peppers too??