Going outside-an ongoing dilemma

Until recently I've always lived in a place where my cats could go outside. Our house is on a busy cut-through street that is right off a main road. In addition to the heavy traffic, there is an ever-expanding feral cat colony. I have one tomcat that frequents our backyard, a giant orange and white boy-biggest cat I've ever seen. He sits on the fence and murders baby birds in the hedges at night. Many a peaceful evening is interrupted by the howls of other toms and screams of their female victims. Because of these issues, I haven't allowed my cats outside unless I'm right with them, and only for a few steps around the yard. I feel terrible keeping them inside all the time and I know they enjoy getting sunshine and fresh air, but it's just not safe out there! What would you do?

If you know its not safe then don't let them out,my MC's have never been allowed the freedom of the outside world although they are lucky to have a big pen on the side of the house they can go in & out of as they wish plus the back garden is fenced so when we are here they can roam out there too,its a bit harder for you as yours do know what the outside life is about but still better to give them more human time & attention than they end up trashed or flattened,could you get them used to a harness so perhaps you could take them out for longer periods but know you have control over them...? They are a pretty bright breed & luv company so fingers crossed they will settle into a new routine & prefer being with you. Reads as if you have to adapt to a big change in lifestyle as well as them,good luck to you all....x

My mc only goes outside with a harness and I dont plan on letting him out by his self, this month alone one friends cat got run over and left and another friends had to be put down because of something he ate outside and its believed someone was posioning cats in the area..so it reassures me that i have made the right decision.

Maybe you can build them a secured area where they can go out?
My cats where sued to run into the garden all time but since we moved to the new house they can't anymore and we build them a big secures ares and they totally happy with that. Although sometimes neighbour cats are looking around

This is Finchen behind the fence and outside neighbours cat Mitzi
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here you can see how we build the area which is in total 5 x 6 m
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Kenny and Eric go out in the garden on their harnesses and seem to really enjoy it especally when the sun is out - they just like to sit and sun themselves.

Mine go out in the garden but it is netted so they cant get out .

As for being safe I would have thought most main coones can look after themselves - even a average sized MC is big for a cat.