Is crime getting worse?

In Vancouver and the surrounding areas, gun war fares are common in the streets, at intersections, in the local mall, at the gym, etc. I live in a small town cornered by churches with a vast percentage of Mennonites, but its now becoming unsafe just about everywhere. Is this just a normal occurrence, as cities expand (and the stress of the economy wears on gang members), or is it really out of control? I mean, how many shootings do you experience in your town on a daily basis?