25 most dangerous neighborhoods in the US: 2010

[The Third Man]

Places to stay clear of if you journey in the US. Good info for the casual traveller.


You may ask, why neighborhoods and not cities? Schiller explains that even the cities with the highest crime rates can have relatively safe neighborhoods, and thus it is less useful to generalize about an entire city.


I don't know about that statement but this is what the researcher is giving.

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/10/04/25-most-dangerous-neighborhoods-2010/

[Takeda Shingen]

I don't know about that statement but this is what the researcher is giving.

I agree with the statement fully. North Philly (near North 13th street) is unaffectionately known as the demilitarized zone. You're okay on Temple's campus, but step off and you'd best have a kevlar vest.

Venture 13 blocks south and the scene changes remarkably. From the Museum of Art to South Street is Center City, the arts, culture and tourist centers of the city, where crime is almost non-existent and the police presence is heavy. South of there, the neighborhoods deteriorate again until you reach the area of the Old Italian Market. East of Center City is Chinatown, which is notorious for organized crime. So, yes, there are islands of safe and unsafe neighborhoods in Philadelphia.

[CCIP]

Yeah, after having been to some parts of Chicago, I can certainly say that there are areas in there that I'd hardly go to during the day, and some that I literally wandered in the middle of the night with friends and never felt the slightest concern. Things really do vary by neighbourhood.

Although now that I've said that, the very first neighbourhood on that list is one I wandered extensively (by day). Yikes, I didn't know that about it. I always thought the bad stuff was further south and east :dead:

Interesting - not one on the west coast. I would've thought some of the LA 'hoods would be no-go...

[The Third Man]

notorious for organized crime


That never discourages me from an area. If it is indeed controlled by organized crime, nothing happens by mistake. If I'm not poking my nose where it doesn't belong I'll be safe, because tourists, like your example in the arts area, only bring in the money that organized crime is more than willing to accomodate. IN NYC Chinatown is rife w/ organized crime, I feel very safe there. Caucasian I am.

So I guess I'm changing my view. Thanks for letting me see the forrest before the trees.

[Takeda Shingen]

That never discourages me from an area. If it is indeed controlled by organized crime, nothing happens by mistake. If I'm not poking my nose where it doesn't belong I'll be safe, because tourists, like your example in the arts area, only bring in the money that organized crime is more than willing to accomodate. IN NYC Chinatown is rife w/ organized crime, I feel very safe there. Caucasian I am.

Oh, I've been to Chinatown plenty of times. I lived in Center City for 5 years, and the only music supply store in the area was 13th Street Music, on 13th and Arch in the middle of Chinatown. I didn't feel particularly threatened, but wouldn't choose to walk the street at night.

[CCIP]

Well, yeah, but like you said that depends on how that crime is organized. Some tends to be extremely racist, and that can end badly if you're the wrong ethnicity - there's places I wouldn't feel very safe being white at all.

That said, not much of this fazes me... I grew up in an area probably worse than any of these (in 90's St. Petersburg, Russia), where a lot of the violent crime was not organized. Things happen, but in general it helps if you're street-wise - and that's not something that is terribly complicated.

[The Third Man]

Interesting - not one on the west coast. I would've thought some of the LA 'hoods would be no-go...


Again, organized crime, which gangs are, need the money that non-members provide. Until the next Rodney King incident occurs that is.

[CCIP]

Again, organized crime, which gangs are, need the money that non-members provide. Until the next Rodney King incident occurs that is.

Yep, that was in the back of my mind when I said that. All I remember is looking for parking in central LA, with the locals advising me to absolutely under no circumstances park anywhere that wasn't enclosed and watched by security. That made me wonder.

[The Third Man]

Well, yeah, but like you said that depends on how that crime is organized. Some tends to be extremely racist, and that can end badly if you're the wrong ethnicity - there's places I wouldn't feel very safe being white at all.

That said, not much of this fazes me... I grew up in an area probably worse than any of these (in 90's St. Petersburg, Russia), where a lot of the violent crime was not organized. Things happen, but in general it helps if you're street-wise - and that's not something that is terribly complicated.

I was in St Pete in Jan of 1984. My hotel room had a view of the cruiser, Aurora. Have to admit I took a walk alone at nigh,t approx. 2100, and suddenly got the feeling I wasn't at all safe. I scurried back to the hotel.

[CCIP]

1984 or 1994? You would've been very safe in 1984 - violent crime was practically non-existent back then, except the aforementioned organized crime. In 1994 it was very much the opposite. That's what happens when socioeconomics totally collapse and people get desperate enough to kill for even the smallest of gains. Sadly my family's been a victim of this, fairly recently at that :(

And I know the exact hotel you stayed at. That is a nice view indeed :)

[Takeda Shingen]

I was in St Pete in Jan of 1984. My hotel room had a view of the cruiser, Aurora. Have to admit I took a walk alone at nigh,t approx. 2100, and suddenly got the feeling I wasn't at all safe. I scurried back to the hotel.

Reminds me of when I was in Whitehorse one July. I had just gotten into my hotel room and wanted to walk around the city. Well, everything is jim-dandy and I'm walking down the street when a brawl spills out of the bar in front of me and all hell breaks loose. I was at a loss for words when I looked at my watch and saw that it was nearly 11 pm. I was fooled by the fact that the sun had not completely set yet. I ran back to my hotel as well.

[antikristuseke]

Organized crime doesn't like to pull too much attention to itself so neighbourhoods where they have a strong presence are usually pretty not too bad, their penal system is far from lenient.
As far as St. Petersburg in concerned, during my last visit there in 2003 I had some unpleasentness with a moron intent on having my wallet, he got a broken nose instead, allso at about 17:00 I tried to enter a record store near the ****ty hotel I was staying at, but was stopped at the door by a man who was built like a brick ****house who made it very clear that the owner there had more pressing matters to attend to and that the store was closed, don't know what exactly took place there, but I'd bet on some sort of protection money racket or some such. But those minor insidents asside It was a great place to visit. I literally spent two full days at the Winter Palace and would have gladly spent a lot more.
During the nights, orfourse, I was completely drunk on cheap high quality vodka and generally out for a good time, which was had.

[The Third Man]

1984 or 1994? You would've been very safe in 1984 - violent crime was practically non-existent back then, except the aforementioned organized crime. In 1994 it was very much the opposite. That's what happens when socioeconomics totally collapse and people get desperate enough to kill for even the smallest of gains. Sadly my family's been a victim of this, fairly recently at that :(

And I know the exact hotel you stayed at. That is a nice view indeed :)

It was definately 1984. But I was the only one on the street, except for the Intourist guy who was prolly following me. But it was that feeling of being alone which got me nervous. The hotel has a large circular dining area. But it still served fish, exclusively.

[Skybird]

25 most dangerous neighbourhoods - what ranking has GT forums?

[The Third Man]

25 most dangerous neighbourhoods - what ranking has GT forums?

Being an international neighborhood a new survey is needed.

[AVGWarhawk]

The list did not include Baltimore MD. IMO it should be on that list.

[Torvald Von Mansee]

The list did not include Baltimore MD. IMO it should be on that list.

I came in to say PRECISELY THE SAME THING.

[Penguin]

Ah, I smell other The Wire fans. :salute:
I also miss Bawltmore in this list. And where is Oakland, CA? It was always competing against Baltimore and DC for the title of the murder capital.
LA missing on the list can be explained if you consider that the research only focuses on neighbourhoods, not the whole city. LA is far more spread out than the other cities (less high-rises where crime is concentrated in a comparatively small area).

[Torvald Von Mansee]

Ah, I smell other The Wire fans. :salute:
I also miss Bawltmore in this list. And where is Oakland, CA? It was always competing against Baltimore and DC for the title of the murder capital.
LA missing on the list can be explained if you consider that the research only focuses on neighbourhoods, not the whole city. LA is far more spread out than the other cities (less high-rises where crime is concentrated in a comparatively small area).

I have never actually seen The Wire.

Really, if you drive through certain parts of Baltimore, you will understand!!!

[nikimcbee]

Yeah, how did Oakland miss the list?

Speaking of Oakland, I can confirm the neighborhood around Neal's house is safe. Atleast don't mess with Neal's peppers, or you might have a problem.:D

[tater]

I have never actually seen The Wire.

Really, if you drive through certain parts of Baltimore, you will understand!!!

I did some work for my dad in Bal'mo years ago. I agree. I was terrified my wife would get her 2d choice Residency in "the match" (Hopkins) cause I didn't want to live there, and I didn't want her having to drive in at night, etc (a wrong turn near Hopkins could get you killed).

[CCIP]

Yeah, that's a scary prospect. You have to admire people like teachers, doctors and such that do work willingly in environments like this - they really do put it on the line. A girl I know recently started a two-year assignment with Teach For America at one of the DC neighbourhood in the article - risky, and I don't doubt the kids' environment makes them at least a little difficult...

[Penguin]

@Torvald: go directly to your nearest DVD store, do not pass Fox, do not collect CSI.:03: I guarantee you'll like the series.

The Wire gives you a good impression of Baltimore, as the city is the star in this series. While there are some things which are unique about Baltimore, the topics and problems The Wire adresses can be seen in most american cities. I would always love to put our german wannabe gangstas in these environments to show them what they talk/sing about - guess most of them wouldn't last 30 minutes...:arrgh!:
I agree with CCIP, most people who work in these neighbourhoods earn less than they deserve.

[Torvald Von Mansee]

I did some work for my dad in Bal'mo years ago. I agree. I was terrified my wife would get her 2d choice Residency in "the match" (Hopkins) cause I didn't want to live there, and I didn't want her having to drive in at night, etc (a wrong turn near Hopkins could get you killed).

I somewhat know Baltimore. A friend and I just drove around late at night once out of boredom, and I can tell you it got rather scary.

Around Hopkins is weird. One block could be absolutely ghetto, and the next middle class rowhouses.

Yeah, that's a scary prospect. You have to admire people like teachers, doctors and such that do work willingly in environments like this - they really do put it on the line. A girl I know recently started a two-year assignment with Teach For America at one of the DC neighbourhood in the article - risky, and I don't doubt the kids' environment makes them at least a little difficult...

If anything, I thought the worst part of D.C. would be in Anacostia across the river NE of Bolling AFB.

@Torvald: go directly to your nearest DVD store, do not pass Fox, do not collect CSI.:03: I guarantee you'll like the series.

The Wire gives you a good impression of Baltimore, as the city is the star in this series. While there are some things which are unique about Baltimore, the topics and problems The Wire adresses can be seen in most american cities. I would always love to put our german wannabe gangstas in these environments to show them what they talk/sing about - guess most of them wouldn't last 30 minutes...:arrgh!:
I agree with CCIP, most people who work in these neighbourhoods earn less than they deserve.

When I think of Baltimore, I always think of Edgar Allan Poe, probably about the best American writer.

[tater]

I somewhat know Baltimore. A friend and I just drove around late at night once out of boredom, and I can tell you it got rather scary.

Around Hopkins is weird. One block could be absolutely ghetto, and the next middle class rowhouses.

Exactly. A friend of hers did med school at Hopkins, and we stayed at his place. (far away). We went to some place for dinner (Ethiopian?) and on the way drove past that old "iconic" Hopkins building at night. He drove down a street and literally told us that any side street on one side of the car was nice, and perfectly safe, and any on the other side was dangerous enough he'd not even drive down one block to show us.

[gimpy117]

how in gods name is Detroit no on there?!

[Sailor Steve]

To all those wondering why "this" or "that" city wasn't on the list: Did you read the criteria? First, he specifically avoided overall city numbers and targetted specific neighborhoods. Second, he provided crime statistics vs. populations.

If you think your 'favorite' was neglected, show some facts, not just "mine is worse".