Crime, Perception and Fear

I just don't want to live in a place where crime is a regular occurrence. It's just not comfortable knowing that within the next year odds are I will be affected by yet another steady, needling fear in the wake of crime.

Round and round these thoughts churn, with a nearly audible rhythm reminiscent of a car's broken fanbelt. Year before last, stolen bicycle. Last year, stolen CD collection and lawsuit. This year a stolen laptop, homicide in the building, hold-up down the street. Can I move forward with out ruminating on these absences every day? No personal harm, no lasting material loss and yet now and then fear creeps in at nightfall.

Rumors and newscasts feed my unease, but is any of it real? Would there be crime like this if I still lived on the west coast? in a smaller city? in a different neighborhood? if I never left the building? if there were off-street parking? if I didn't watch the news? if I stayed home? stayed in the US? traveled alone? And so another hour passes.