Has anyone experienced increased anxiety in Houston with rising crime?

Let me start off by saying that I love Houston. It’s a city I have enjoyed many years and still would choose it over many others.

The past few years, I have developed increased anxiety when out in Houston due to crime. Places I once deemed safe are now target zones where people steal in broad daylight. I feel the criminals are not scared of punishment as they are quickly released back into society even after killing someone. I live in a fairly “nice area” and I now am on edge any time I leave my home. Cars in my parking garage and street are often on bricks, car jackings at gas stations with guns and home/apartment break ins are all too common. Parks now have criminals robbing people on trails. I no longer wear flashy items and take precautions whenever I go.

I feel I don’t like going out as much anymore and am always on edge when I’m roaming around town. So many shootings have me concerned.

I understand I cannot live in fear and I am working on it – but I still cannot shake this sense of not being in a safe area anymore. I love Houston, but all of this makes me want to leave ASAP 🙁

Has anyone else experience this? Or am I overreacting?