As glamorous as
Los Angeles is, safety in the city is a different story. Unfortunately, LA consistently has high crime rates, leading many to regard it as a dangerous city. There's no doubt that it's far from the safest metropolis on the West Coast, let alone in all of the US, but to regard it as 'dangerous' may be a bit much. After all, LA is still a fairly affluent town that boasts some of the most elite residents in the world. Would the rich and famous remain here in Los Angeles if it were truly a dangerous city? It's high time to learn more about.
What are LA's Crime Rates?
You can get a good grasp of just how dangerous LA truly is by looking at
its crime rates. As of this writing, the city's general crime rate is at a worrying 61.08%, which is considered high. Even more concerning is that its rate of increasing crime is at 64.23%, which is slightly higher. Now, are these enough to regard Los Angeles as dangerous? Not necessarily. Though the stats don't look good, they're not so bad that LA is worth avoiding altogether. You should simply use this data to remember to take the necessary safety precautions when you go out on the town.
What are The Biggest Crimes in LA?
Now that you know that LA's crime rates skew high, it's time to learn which specific crimes run rampant in the city. What are the highest-rated crimes in LA today? Drug-dealing, which tops the list at a whopping 66.69%. This comes as no surprise considering that most major cities have a drug problem, so LA is no different. It also doesn't help that Hollywood is notorious for its history of drug use, and evidently, it still grapples with it. After drug-dealing, vandalism & theft both rank as the second-highest-rated crime in LA, with a combined 62.89%.
Is LA Safe for Tourists?
The short answer to this is, yes, it is! While LA's crime rates aren't looking good, this shouldn't dissuade any tourist from visiting the city. Contrary to what people say, Los Angeles is far from a crime-ridden dystopia. The city still has countless safe areas, including some of its most popular landmarks and other tourist attractions. It's especially worth exploring during the day, since LA boasts a high safety rate of about 65.87%. At night, this only falls to about 41.10%, which is still just moderate. Moreover, Tinseltown also still retains some semblance of its world-renowned glitz and glamour. It's all worth seeing in person at least once!
Is LA Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
Yes, LA is still safe for solo female travelers. Let's not forget that countless single women already make up a considerable portion of the city's population. They
rent luxury apartments in LA on their own, they go about their lives independently, and many of them have come up with ways to stay safe in the city despite living on their own. Naturally, solo female travelers can and will survive just as much. The key here is to do proper research before getting to LA and avoid looking confused and lost. This will lessen any woman's risk of becoming a victim of all sorts of crimes.
Is it Safe to Relocate to LA?
Generally speaking, yes, it is. Though
moving to Los Angeles—or any other city, for that matter—comes with all sorts of challenges, it's not impossible to do. Countless people have done it, to the extent that immigrants make up 39% of the city's population. How safe you'll end up in LA will depend on where you relocate to. Unfortunately, Los Angeles has several areas you'd do well to avoid, much less settle down in. At the same time, while it's not exactly a requirement, you'll want to befriend your neighbors and other locals who know the area. They'll help you in more ways than one, so it's even more imperative that you choose a good neighborhood when you move here.
What are LA's Most Dangerous Areas?
Speaking of LA's dangerous areas, it's worth noting that they're different types of districts. Some are right at the heart of the city, specifically in Downtown Los Angeles, and are unfortunately hard to avoid if you are staying in the city center. The most notorious is Skid Row, a 50-block neighborhood infamous for its homeless residents. Located between Third and Seventh Streets, the place is right smack in the middle of Downtown LA. Then there's Compton, which is notorious for its gang violence, located in the southern outskirts of the city. So even
LA's suburbs have their fair share of dangerous districts, too.
Here are what’s largely considered the most dangerous areas in LA:
- Skid Row (Downtown LA)
- Arts District (Downtown LA)
- Compton
- Venice Beach
- Chesterfield Square
- Lincoln Heights
- West Adams
- Koreatown
- Inglewood
What About Hollywood?
Now, what about Hollywood? When you talk to LA locals about Hollywood today, you'll be surprised at how much they avoid the area themselves. From what used to be the most glamorous part of the city, Hollywood has fallen from grace and is now regarded as among LA's sketchier districts. Does this mean it's a dangerous place? No, not entirely! You do have to be more careful when exploring the place, especially
Hollywood Boulevard, but as long as you're aware of your surroundings, you'll be fine. You should also avoid going there at night as much as you can!
What are LA's Safest Neighborhoods?
It's high time to talk about the safest
neighborhoods in Los Angeles, too. Let's not forget that LA remains one of America's major cities, one that houses millions in its population. On top of that, some of the world's wealthiest and most famous live here, mostly for Hollywood, but also because Los Angeles itself serves as an important global business hub. What does this all mean? That LA still has several areas that are safe enough for even the elites. There are the affluent areas like Beverly Hills and Bel-Air, but also typical city districts like West Hollywood and Mar Vista, to name a few.
You can ensure your safety in LA if you stay in any of these neighborhoods:
- Beverly Hills
- Beverlywood
- Bel Air
- Mar Vista
- Sherman Oaks
- Westwood
- West Hollywood
- Culver City
- Manhattan Beach
- Hermosa Beach
- Cheviot Hills
How to Stay Safe in LA
Much like any other big city out there, there are many ways to keep safe in Los Angeles. The most important thing is to always stay aware of your surroundings, even if you've lived in the city for a long time. LA stays unpredictable no matter which part of the city you are in. As a major metropolis with millions of residents, you never know what might happen to you here!
Follow these tips to stay safe in Los Angeles:
- Stay Aware of Your Surroundings
- Keep Your Valuables Hidden
- Avoid Dark Areas
- Don't Stay Too Long on Hollywood Blvd
- Don't Look Like You're Lost or Confused
- Stay in Well-Traveled Areas
- Don't Talk to Strangers on The Street
- Know That Pickpockets Usually Work in Teams
- Keep to Yourself when Taking Public Transport
- Avoid Wearing Flashy or Expensive Clothing
The unfortunate truth about Los Angeles is that it’s far from the safest city in the world, let alone in the US. Behind its glitz and glamour lies a complex metropolis with sketchy areas, high crime rates, and the like. But is it truly as dangerous as many would make it seem?
