Discussions

So call this a rant or a vent or whatever...however I have been witness to several assaults and significantly inappropriate behavior in downtown Brandon the last few weeks now that the weather has warmed up. I'd like to know others thoughts and experiences downtown. It is hard to feel safe or want to support businesses in the area given the events over the last week. What can be done about this?!? Feeling frustrated and angry on a daily basis.

I work downtown and sometimes walk on various errands -so far I have never felt unsafe. I was accosted by a rather odd individual the other day but he didn't seem dangerous-just odd.

There are lots of things that go on all over the city, sadly downtown on the main drags you can see quite a bit. Feeling unsafe hasn't yet crossed my mind but at the same time if you use your head and stay away from the more troubled spots if you're alone etc tennis to help. Most of the people downtown that are regulars are just humans like the rest of us just a little more down on their luck. But then there's the visitors to the local establishments that can indeed be a huge problem when they become confrontational with the regulars. I've seen that alot. I treat them like equals, which they are. Answer them if they ask a question, say hello to them and make eye contact. As again they are human. And have never had an issue. What they do with each other is their business, unless there is a fight then I'll try to calm things down. But that's just me. If you come across scared or like your better than, it's picked up on and can be used against you.

I have worked downtown for the last 4 years so have been out and about quite a bit and have yet to feel unsafe or have something bad happen. I also park down there daily and have never had an issue. That's not to say it doesnt happen but I have not had any issues, this is during the day I should mention.

what you'll see downtown.. people getting the stuffing knocked out of them, blood spilled. I don't like going downtown. I'm not saying that there isn't good businesses there because there is.

I also work downtown, park downtown, walk downtown. All of these events have happened during working hours at/outside my place of work. So no. I'm not in what should be considered a "bad" area. But I kid you not it has happened every day this last couple weeks. I was looking for solutions. Maybe I'm just the only one that gets the joy of witnessing this on a regular basis. There is no justification that someone is down on their luck and so being highly intoxicated before noon and fist fighting in a highly public area in the middle of the day is acceptable because they are down on their luck.

At a faster rate than any other area of town. I work right down town now, and I have since 1975. 17 of those years I owned my own business. I can say I have never witnessed any violence first hand. I have heard about things that happened and a few years ago I saw a guy being chased by another, but I don't think he caught him. My business was broken into once. I feel totally safe during the day. At night time leaving work or stopping in at work after hours I am always cautious and aware of my surroundings.But I would do that anywhere. I suspect as more people move into the downtown area, there will be more people milling around. Is that good or bad? Idk

I have worked near downtown for years and never had much issues with bad goings on, other than drug paraphernalia and the odd condom in my parking stalls. Constant garbage clean up was another issue, but I never felt unsafe.  
 
Moved recently closer to downtown, I guess I am right in the core now and I am fairly certain my office was "cased" the other day. One of those times when a person comes in, asks a bunch of dumb questions that make no sense without actually listening to answers, looking around suspiciously, commenting on the couple of things that might be of some value....just a really off situation.  
 
That was the first time I felt uncomfortable while at work.  
 
My neighbors have warned me that the worst they have encountered were some dumpster fires and to make sure I lock my car. Hope the seriousness of wrongdoing does not escalate in downtown (or anywhere) in Brandon....

Downtown Brandon gets increasing dangerous every year it seems. Since the snows melted I've witnessed 3 (physical) fights and have been pan handled every other day: once aggressively so. Several times I've had to come to a screeching halt because drinks are wandering about on the road at 1 in the afternoon. It's not unusual to come across what looks like bloody murders scenes: blood on the pavement, pieces of flesh. Last year a bunch of TD employees got their cars wrecked up and sprayed with blood from a gentlemens disagreement.  
 
These aren't down in their luck individuals. They're scumbags. It's downright depressing going to school/work and seeing them already out and drunk and having a great day. Hitting you up for change constantly too, just to rub salt into it.  
 
Brandon has no city planning. Downtown is a nice area visually, and store wise, but all those booze stores should be bull dozed asap and whoever thought building cheap housing in the heart of the city should be flogged.

Living downtown and walking everyday at different times,starting around lunchtime,that is when i see people,obviously on an extended vacation,usually the same regulars, i too observed a young man holding a bottle of booze,high and proud,running and swearing as people got off the buses,but you know,seems like as soon as about 5 oclock strikes,the people who are regulars to that specific area,disappear,and even though i walk by everyday,not once have they said or done anything rude to me,we have passed pleasentries to each other, even have shared a quick laugh,but i dont feel unsafe,the odd time i look ahead and do choose to cross Rosser before i intend too, but thats all about being cautious,and actually walking in the evening youd be lucky if you passed half a dozen people in 12 blocks!so all i can say is just be cautious,like you would anywhere,but do come downtown and enjoy the diverse array of little shops and yummy food fares throughout the blocks,hope your experience will keep you coming downtown,i myself love all the uniqueness it offers. CHEERS!

I personally avoid going down town unless necessary. I hate the parking, the traffic etc. When I do go down there, I have been asked for change or cigarettes on numerous occasions. The only time I felt really uncomfortable is when a couple men came up to my car asking me for change. When I said no, they thankfully left me alone. A lot of situations I have encountered, easily could've turned sour but thankfully didn't. I've also witness martial spats, etc and what not. I personally just don't like going down there for my own safety, as I'm a small girl who looks younger than I am and could easily be victimized. That's just my own personal opinion and views. I don't know how many of the people commenting are men or female. But that may change their opinion of downtown based on gender.

for being asked for money, I have been asked twice in the past year-Once when I was walking, once in the car when stopped in line at a stop sign: a fellow-obviously headed for the bar-tapped on my window to ask for money. Both times I said truthfully that I had no cash (I do not carry cash) and the persons went on their way. I encountered more panhandlers 25-30 years ago than I do now -back then there were about 3 regulars who would ask for money at every encounter.  
 
I am female, not especially big or tough looking-sometimes I hold my purse a bit closer when I pass certain groups of people. I am only ever downtown between 8 and 5 on week days

I have lived in the core most of my adult life,home owner,huge walker and biker, I love walking late at night in the summer,and here's my stats: 2005 when the bushes were overly grown in southwest corner@New Era, 11or so youths(aged 13-17guessing) were drinking in bushes,when I was walking home, all of them came out from the bush,drunk,high, and pool ball(i believe)in a sock,demanding a smoke N money(none of which we had) I immediately went to the middle street,picked up my pace, as they came out from the bush. hit 911 on my cell, then put my cell down my pants, and started rambling about the area I was in,naming the street,school etc, I was with someone else, so we basically kept exchanged words,stayed calm,LUCKLY a cab came down the street and they scattered.(I quickly learnt 911 back then went straight to Wpg. When I got home and called from landline)they asked if I was the person calling from a cell naming streets,school etc),  
car broken into 4times( cd's and change stolen), 2 times people walked right in my front door(my own mistake!unlocked door), woke up to dog barking,and that scared them off)  
2times youths entered our yard, caught them in the act both times,so they ran,one saying sorry sorry sorry while bolting,lol.Yes downtown area can be "entertaining" but being here over 19yrs,I'd say I feel safe, lotsa shenanigans for sure,but I feel safe,safe enough to keep living, walking biking in the area.  
Just because a few people over the yrs have reminded me to lock my doors,watch your surroundings,keep one head phone out of your ear when your alone to hear around you, To me this should be done no matter what part of the city you live, as for all fights ppl claim to see, Just think: It Is possible that there's more domestic beatings behind closed doors that never get reported,then the ones people see on the street and just turn a blind eye on,gossip about to friends and family and not call in.

Amaxinlin said "I personally avoid going down town unless necessary. I hate the parking, the traffic etc. When I do go down there, I have been asked for change or cigarettes on numerous occasions. The only time I felt really uncomfortable is when a couple men came up to my car asking me for change. When I said no, they thankfully left me alone. A lot of situations I have encountered, easily could've turned sour but thankfully didn't. I've also witness martial spats, etc and what not. I personally just don't like going down there for my own safety, as I'm a small girl who looks younger than I am and could easily be victimized. That's just my own personal opinion and views. I don't know how many of the people commenting are men or female. But that may change their opinion of downtown based on gender. "

This is why I avoid downtown. When a large man approaches me while I am plugging a meter (so he knows I have coin) asking for money, it is intimidating and uncomfortable and I shouldn't have to be put in that position just to shop downtown.  
 
When refusing to give money when coming out of a bank was met with "Oh you look like you have lots of money, cheap b****..." that's more than enough at 10am. Downtown Brandon is the only area where I'm asked for smokes and money so I take myself out of the situation, avoid the area and just do business elsewhere.

I live in the west end of town, and had someone pounding on my door in the middle of the night last week. Lots of screaming and arguing in the back lane. And found a knife in my front lawn, after hearing some pretty sharp threats against someones life, should the abuse of his mother continue.  
I don't think the downtown incidents can be isolated. I saw another guy sitting upside down on the side of the street hanging his legs in the air. Don't know what he was doing. But it was kind of odd. There are people being people everywhere. I'm glad I didn't step on that blade in the middle of the night after some neighbour or passerby called the cops, and I went to talk with them. There's danger everywhere. Its a matter of minimizing the risk that you will be involved.

I lived right on Rosser and had to walk several blocks to my car numerous times a day. Needless to say, I moved the heck out of there because so much stuff was going on downtown that made me feel unsafe, especially at night. I remember a man used to stand on the corner of 7th and Rosser and he would yell profanitites at me every time I walked by.  
Maybe I felt unsafe and vulnerable because I am a young woman...  
 
Edited by Pinkbutterflies, 2016-05-21 19:46:19

I don't have to go downtown much or walk around down there. But one night I did and when the event was over it was dusk. As I was walking the few blocks to my car, I just took out my cellphone and pretended to be talking on it. Figured at that point, it was kind of a safe measure.