Crime in Orlando

[Otter49]

I debated whether to post this since it's such a downer. But I decided to go ahead on the chance that if it helps even one family maintain their situational awareness (without being paranoid) on vacation, then it was worth posting.

From US News, Orlando is tied with Birmingham, Al as the third most dangerous American city.

11 Most Dangerous Cities

Orlando

 

[jtopicz1]

Crime is everywhere, and it doesn't surprise me at all that Orlando is high up on the list! Much of the city of Orlando is NOT a nice area! In addition, tourist areas attract crimes such as theft, scams, etc.

That said, I think in context it is important to know that the Orlando most tourists visit, is not actually Orlando at all, and more like the suburbs of any big city. There is a night and day difference between walking around International Drive at night and walking through downtown at night (NOT recommended)!

I think it's best to follow the same basic precautions in Orlando as everywhere else. Make sure your hotel door latches and locks when you leave, keep valuables in the safe, don't leave valuables in your rental car, if it sounds to good to be true..., etc...

Jim

 

[BrownDalmatian]

There is a night and day difference between walking around International Drive at night and walking through downtown at night (NOT recommended)!

Good point.

 

[physicalt104]

I'm hopeful that the crime stats for on-property visits are as low as I THINK they are.....

 

[Art 1]

There are parts of Orlando that are very, very dangerous. Packs of school age folks roam the streets, even during school hours.

 

[crazelion]

I'm hopeful that the crime stats for on-property visits are as low as I THINK they are.....

Also remember crime can happen any where.

 

[Purseval]

The entire state of Florida has a crime problem. Things used to be a lot worse but then the state passed a law making it easy for any law-abiding citizen to get a hangun and the stats dropped dramatically.

That didn't mean criminals all of a sudden didn't have to eat anymore. They just turned to targets less likely to pull out a gun and kill them, ones that were almost certain to be unarmed, carrying cash and fairly easy to identify: tourists. After a few high-profile killings the state made some changes (no longer requiring a rental car company to put their name on the car, for instance) and started providing armed security at roadside rest areas. They know who butters their bread.

I am licensed to carry concealed weapons. I drive down so I can transport a weapon easily. I never do because the state has taken steps to make me feel that it is unnecessary. I feel very comfortable in the tourist areas, which is why I keep coming back.

 

[bucsfan1029]

Other than the airport, I believe most of the Orlando City limits are north of Sand Lake Road, which I believe is exit 74 on I4. Many people will visit "Orlando" and never even go into the city limits, other than to and from the airport.

 

[torquelover]

Before we were married, we used to head over to downtown Orlando for the clubs. Didn't seem anywhere near as dangerous as Detroit or Chicago, both cites I have called home for many years.

Now that we're married with kids, the only issue I've had seems to be at the Sonic at the far end of I-Drive. Been there 3 times now, around lunch time in our car, a rental minivan, and our RV and we have had questionable people wander up to us each time.

Anyone remember the highway shootings years ago?

 

[DOOM1001]

I just saw an article that said that out of 400 cities Orlando improved last year from 17th most dangerous to 46th,and the Metro area improved from 18th to 59th,at least it's an improvement.But the truth is that many of the areas east of the turnpike can be dangerous.Most of the tourist areas and neighborhoods around them are relatively safe.Universal does border some sketchy areas as does Disney with parts of Kissimmee,but a lot of Orange county is not great,Seminole county to the north is a lot better than Orange and probably helps the rankings of the metro area.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

The entire state of Florida has a crime problem.

That's an awfully general statement. There's parts of FL that's as safe as anywhere else. Our cops show up en mass, when someone is pulled over for a light out. They're that bored. For the record, I don't know anyone who carries a gun. Somehow, we all make it to work or the mall & back home safely.

 

[Purseval]

That's an awfully general statement.

http://www.walletpop.com/2010/04/05/most-dangerous-states-crime-rankings-for-2010/

Most dangerous states: Crime rankings for 2010

Crime Rate Rankings (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)

No. 1: NEVADA
Assault: 8
Burglary: 12
Murder: 13
Motor Vehicle Theft: 1
Rape: 8
Robbery: 1

No. 2: NEW MEXICO
Assault: 5
Burglary: 3
Murder: 6
Motor Vehicle Theft: 7
Rape: 2
Robbery: 23

No. 3: LOUISIANA
Assault: 4
Burglary: 9
Murder: 1
Motor Vehicle Theft: 14
Rape: 33
Robbery: 18

No. 4: SOUTH CAROLINA
Assault: 1
Burglary: 8
Murder: 7
Motor Vehicle Theft: 9
Rape: 13
Robbery: 16

No. 5: TENNESSEE
Assault: 2
Burglary: 5
Murder: 8
Motor Vehicle Theft: 15
Rape: 19
Robbery: 8

No. 6: FLORIDA
Assault: 6
Burglary: 7
Murder: 12
Motor Vehicle Theft: 13
Rape: 23
Robbery: 4

As they say, if the shoe fits...

 

[shalom]

http://www.walletpop.com/2010/04/05/most-dangerous-states-crime-rankings-for-2010/

Most dangerous states: Crime rankings for 2010

Rankings by state are not useful when you're trying to figure out whether you're putting yourself at risk. Tennessee has a higher crime rate than Florida, but Knoxville, TN has a much lower crime rate than Orlando Florida. New Mexico is second to worst on your list -- but Albuquerque, New Mexico rates much lower than Orlando. Minnesota doesn't even make your list but Minneapolis, MN has higher crime rates than Orlando when it comes to murder, rape and robbery, and the same as Orlando in terms of auto theft.

When it comes to tourist towns, Pigeon Forge has higher rates of rape, burglery, theft, and auto theft than Orlando. Myrtle Beach is worst than Orlando on everything but assault. Even Wisconsin Dells has worst numbers when it comes to rape and theft. And in all cases, that's comparing the city of Orlando to a total tourist town; most of the areas near WDW have much lower rates of crime. The neighborhood around the Marriott, just across I-4 from WDW, has lower crime rates on every front than the national average, most of them considerably lower:

http://www.clrsearch.com/Orlando_Demographics/FL/32821/Crime_Statistics

 

[Purseval]

Rankings by state are not useful when you're trying to figure out whether you're putting yourself at risk.

That may be true but I was responding to a challenge of my statement by tarheelmjfan about the state of Florida. In post #7 I actually stated that I felt pretty safe in Orlando itself.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Those rankings are misleading in themselves. FL has some cities with crime rates that are very high (Miami, for example). That city in itself would raise the rate for the entire state, if such a general ranking was of any use to anyone. It isn't! If you're moving to or visiting an area, you need to know what the crime rate is for that area. That's the same as saying the US as a whole is a very dangerous place to visit or live, because some of our inner cities have a high crime rate. Those are useless rankings, & most people know it.

 

[Purseval]

Those rankings are misleading in themselves. FL has some cities with crime rates that are very high (Miami, for example). That city in itself would raise the rate for the entire state,

If that were true New York and Illinois would be #1 and #2 just by virtue of their huge urban populations and numbers of crimes.

if such a general ranking was of any use to anyone. It isn't!

It's called grasping at straws. I didn't come up with the numbers. Sorry you don't like them. I just reported them and you just have to deal with them. But you're right on specific areas being safe. I'm sure Tiger Woods never felt threatened in his secure gated community until his wife got hold of the golf clubs.

 

[Upatnoon]

Crime has been decreasing in Florida for years. In fact, the crime rate in 2009 was the lowest in 39 years. Crime has been dropping all over the U.S. as well.

Does that mean you shouldn't lock your car and leave $100 bills hanging out of your wallet? Of course not, but the drive from your house to the airport to fly to Orlando is likely the most dangerous part of your trip.

 

[donaldduck352]

I got to say,Charly Christ,ex govenor of Florida,passed the right to bear arms.But only on said real estate.Outside of that,get a concealed permit,DW and I got ours.You have to be very viglente and see the signs.If you feel like someone is following you,tell someone and be VERY LOUD about it.

Also,the FDLE has got undercovers all over the place in Orlando,most are on I-Drive.I feel safe when we are going to Orlando.

BUT REMEBER,no matter where you go,youre never safe!!

 

[Purseval]

Crime has been decreasing in Florida for years. In fact, the crime rate in 2009 was the lowest in 39 years. Crime has been dropping all over the U.S. as well.

Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt, the Freakonomics guys, have an interesting take on why crime has been dropping for that last few decades. But whatever the reason the fact is Florida still has one of the worst crime rates in the nation, even if it is lower than it has been in 39 years.

Does that mean you shouldn't lock your car and leave $100 bills hanging out of your wallet? Of course not, but the drive from your house to the airport to fly to Orlando is likely the most dangerous part of your trip.

I'm writing this post from Orlando so I'm not concerned enough to stay away.
2 Mardi Gras concerts this weekend is worth the risk

 

[Purseval]

Hate to dredge up an old thread but this is something new to add to it:

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyl...ost_dangerous_destination_in_the_country.html

Spring break survey: Orlando ranked the most dangerous destination in the country

A little spring break fun in the sun can be a dangerous thing unless travellers choose their destination wisely, a new survey has found.

An analysis of crime and accident stats coupled with doctor and lawyer rankings of 25 popular spring break destinations found that Orlando is the most dangerous place to visit.

"Spring break is a time for fun, but you also have to be careful," said Mark Britton, founder of lawyer and doctor listing website Avvo.com, which conducted the study. "Where you go for spring break is an important \[decision\].

Daytona Beach, Fla. came in a close second, followed by Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach, S.C., and West Palm Beach, Fla. the survey found.

Honolulu ranked as the safest among the 25 locales, followed by Santa Barbara, Calif., Reno, Nevada, San Diego, and Steamboat Springs, Colo.