Amy, who clearly has to answer this question often, explains how a person might figure out if an area is safe or not. The top three things she advises future homebuyers to do:
1. Call the local police department to ask about crime statistics in the area.
2. Walk around at various times of day and talk to the neighbors. Feel free to knock on doors. People will be happy to tell you about their neighborhood, both good and bad.
3. Visit the area at night. What’s it like? The noise level, traffic level, pedestrian level, street lighting.
I’d like to add a few things to this. For those who have internet access, crime statistics are sometimes posted on police department websites. The Hartford Police Department posts their arrest log almost daily (they slack off on the weekends, but are usually consistent during the week) and updates the crime statistics-by-neighborhood weekly. There’s no reason to get caught up in the politically- and ego-driven infighting between mayor, chief-of-police, corporate media, etc. when we can access statistics for ourselves. It seems cold, but without having flashy broadcasts to pull at our heartstrings, we can make more logical decisions about how we feel about the level of crimes committed in an area we are considering living in (or moving from).
Walking around an area to get acquainted is also very good advice. Driving through is better than nothing, but the speed means that we miss so much. Something I noticed while wandering through the West End Tag Sale this past weekend was that at most sites, there were a couple people who knew each other and were talking. I was able to learn what else was going on in the neighborhood.
As for visiting an area at night, I’d suggest making a few trips, at different times of night and at least on a Friday or Saturday. You might learn that while there are no gunfights going down, there’s street racing, all-night parties, or really noisy dogs. Personally, I’d be more concerned with these quality-of-life issues than with the crime statistics, as it’s far more likely you’ll encounter inconsiderate neighbors than violent ones.
Here’s where the dangerous advice comes in (which, if you take, you are assuming full responsibility for your actions. I can not be held responsible for whatever may or may not happen to you as a result)– I’d suggest walking the neighborhood at night. Especially if you are female. If it’s too scary for you to consider, then perhaps the neighborhood is not one in which you’ll feel safe. Most places where I have lived, I’ve felt comfortable enough walking around alone at night. There have been two places where it seemed too dangerous to do so, and so I didn’t. Would my comfort level change if I carried a weapon? Would it change if I was trying to walk home intoxicated? You know yourself best, and would have to assess what types of situations you feel safe or unsafe in. This doesn’t mean being stupid, but I do think that it’s difficult to truly live when the place you are living in seems dangerous enough to you that you limit when you go outside, etc.
