Crime and Pollution in Harare

Crime Data in Harare

Crime Perception and Concerns

In 2024, Harare presents a high crime index, reflecting prevalent safety concerns among residents. Although the city grapples with various crime issues, there is an ongoing focus on addressing property crimes and corruption.

Residents express significant anxiety about personal safety, especially after dark, highlighting the city's struggles with both property and violent crimes.

Some notable concerns include:

• Property Crimes - Property crimes, including theft and home break-ins, are at the forefront of Harare residents' concerns. The high level of worry underscores the persistent threat these crimes pose to everyday life.
• Drug-Related Issues - Drug-related problems are present but not perceived as prominently as other issues, though there remains ongoing concern about their potential impact on community safety.
• Violent Crimes - Violent crimes, while not as highlighted as property crimes, still contribute to the atmosphere of fear. The potential for muggings, robberies, and physical assaults weighs heavily on public sentiment.
• Public Safety - Harareans feel a notable decline in safety at night compared to daytime. This discrepancy emphasizes the need for improved security measures to ensure round-the-clock protection.

Crime Trends and Safety

• Rising Crime Concerns - A pervasive view among residents is that crime levels are escalating, particularly driven by perceptions of rising property crime rates and widespread corruption.
• Specific Fears - Aside from tangible crime threats, some residents face fears based on race, ethnicity, or religious affiliation, adding a complex layer to the city's safety issues.

Summary of Crime in Harare

Despite these challenges, efforts to curb corruption and enhance policing strategies continue. Strengthening community trust and engagement remains key to fostering a safer environment.

Crime Rankings

Harare ranks 1st on the Crime rankings in Zimbabwe. The crime ranking by city for Zimbabwe is based on a continuously updated index, incorporating data up to 36 months old and calculated twice a year. Cities are ranked on a scale from "very low" to "very high" crime levels, with safety being the inverse, where a high safety index indicates a safer city.

1. Harare

Zimbabwe

Air Quality and Pollution Levels

Harare faces significant pollution challenges, with air quality concerns driven by urban emissions and inadequate infrastructure impacting daily life.

The city's air quality, affected by both vehicular and industrial pollutants, poses ongoing health risks, necessitating concerted efforts for improvement.

• PM2.5 (Fine Particulate Matter) - While PM2.5 levels appear low, the overall context of air pollution suggests underlying health threats, especially for susceptible populations.
• PM10 (Coarse Particulate Matter) - PM10 levels match PM2.5, further indicating the all-encompassing concern over Harare's air quality status. The situation calls for effective environmental policies.

Waste and Noise Pollution

Harare's urbanites frequently grapple with subpar waste management, contributing to unsightly and unsanitary conditions acknowledged by its residents.

Additionally, noise pollution presents intermittent disturbances, disrupting the peace in various neighborhoods.

• Garbage Disposal Satisfaction - Satisfaction with garbage disposal is notably low, reflecting dissatisfaction with waste collection services and urban cleanliness standards.
• Noise and Light Pollution - Noise and light levels, while moderate, can impact residents' quality of life, especially in busy or densely populated areas.

Green Spaces and Water Quality

Despite challenges, Harare's green spaces provide some respite, though their quality doesn't always meet expectations.

Water pollution remains a significant issue, with drinking water quality concerns widespread, undermining public health and trust.

• Green and Parks Quality - Parks in Harare are valued but often underdeveloped, with residents desiring enhancements that capitalize on their potential as urban oases.
• Drinking Water Quality - Harareans lament the drinking water quality, with accessibility issues compounding fears over water safety, significantly affecting urban wellbeing.

Pollution Rankings

Harare ranks 1st on the Pollution rankings in Zimbabwe. The pollution ranking for Zimbabwe is based on a combination of visitor perceptions and data from institutions like the World Health Organization. The Pollution Index estimates overall pollution levels by considering air and water pollution, garbage disposal, and other factors, with air pollution given the highest weight, while the Pollution Exp Scale uses an exponential function to highlight extremely polluted cities.

1. Harare

Zimbabwe