Detroit - Named Most Dangerous City in U.S.

MIRepublic · April-28-09, 10:57 PM

Retroit, really, why are you here? I have no ever read anything constructive you've ever said, on here. I honestly don't get your reason for being here. Notice that I didn't say that you've never said anything positive. I don't care if people are positive or negative, so long as they are constructive. You've not typed a constructive post on here from all that I've come across that you've written.

**Fury13** · April-28-09, 11:29 PM

I was born and raised here, and yeah, Detroit is damn dangerous, a lot of it. Some places like downtown, the Cultural Center, and Woodward Avenue in Midtown are safe almost all hours of the day, but in other "safe" areas, I wouldn't advise visitors [[especially women) to wander around during the evening or night. Such areas would include Belle Isle, Indian Village, Boston-Edison, much of southwest Detroit. Fringe areas of Midtown are not safe after dusk.

Many interior neighborhoods, like those off Gratiot between Van Dyke and State Fair, are almost NEVER safe, even in broad daylight.

**firstandten** · April-29-09, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by Retroit

When my relatives from a small town in northern Italy came to Detroit and were driven through the city, they were scared to death! [[Crouched down in their seats with hands covering their heads. This was in a locked car during daylight.) They thought there was a war or riot going on because, surely, people could not live in such horrible conditions in normal times.

True story.

Fear is a subjective attitude. Some people are afraid standing next to a black man in an elevator, whereas some people it would take a handgun to the face to make them afraid. You need to apply the reasonable person theory to subjects such as this. I would think that if an "reasonable person theory" was applied in this situation assuming your relatives have seen or been in ghettos' in Europe or other countries that they reasonably should not have anything to fear in daylight, in a locked car. Otherwise I could go in the suburbs see a bunch of motorcycles assume they were Hell's Angels and be afraid for my life even though they are paying no attention to me.

**detroit313** · April-30-09, 12:46 PM

Where are these numbers coming from? Orlando larger than Detroit at 2 million?

totally inaccurate!

<313>

detmich · April-30-09, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by detroit313

Where are these numbers coming from? Orlando larger than Detroit at 2 million?

totally inaccurate!

<313>

What the hell are you talking about?

**MickeyMac** · May-01-09, 04:23 PM

What is the Buena Vista neighborhood like??

**MrMichigan** · September-25-17, 11:14 PM

http://www.freep.com/story/news/2017...nce/700443001/

Detroit is once again back on top. My question is, how many of you have directly experienced crime in the city and in what area? Talking the last 5-10 years.

**313WX** · September-25-17, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by MrMichigan

http://www.freep.com/story/news/2017...nce/700443001/

Detroit is once again back on top. My question is, how many of you have directly experienced crime in the city and in what area? Talking the last 5-10 years.

One thing that stands out in that article is while you have a certain group of members who like to show off their inferiority complex and beat up on Chicago, even with their recent increase in murders, they still have a per-capita murder rate far lower than Detroit's.

DetroitNightLights · September-25-17, 11:55 PM

In ten years of living in downtown Detroit, I never had any problems.

**firstandten** · September-26-17, 12:50 AM

Originally Posted by MrMichigan

http://www.freep.com/story/news/2017...nce/700443001/

Detroit is once again back on top. My question is, how many of you have directly experienced crime in the city and in what area? Talking the last 5-10 years.

I live in the city proper and I've haven't experienced anything major in many, many years. Having said that I do live in one of the nicer neighborhoods in the city, however I watch where I go. I absolutely do not go to the hood gas stations at night, and I don't leave things in my car to make it a target. I am not a part of the underground drug economy which contributes largely to the crime in the city. I feel the last part can not be overstated. Most of the crime you hear about in the news and on TV can be directly or indirectly related to the illegal drug economy.

**night-timer** · September-26-17, 06:25 AM

This is a topic that could go on and on... and it probably will.

Like some of you, I saw the "Detroit Most Dangerous!" story in the news last night.

This website is Detroit-centric, and that's completely understandable.

So, this recent news report about Detroit having the "Most Dangerous Status" also said that Detroit has more homicides than Los Angeles, with "four times Detroit's population".

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Greater LA County has far more than "four times" the 750k population of Detroit.

LA would rival Chicago and New York.

Detroit being the most dangerous place on earth is a tired old cliche'.

Yes, there are obvious areas to avoid if you're a white tourist in an Anorak.

But are we looking at Detroit from the perspective of an insider or an out-of-town outsider?

The guy posting comments about romantic dinners might want to look at Greektown, even though he won't get much highrise there.

Likewise, other visitors to Detroit will also find Greektown quite nice, along with Downtown, Ren Cen/Riverwalk, Belle Isle in the daytime before it shuts, Corktown [[along Michigan Avenue), Midtown, Foxtown and the 'Theater District' near Midtown, Jefferson Avenue, and DIA/WSU [[not much food there, though).

The crime is mostly drug-related and does not occur in the built-up areas.

Looking beyond the City of Detroit, every major American city has areas that should be avoided. Even Washington DC has a long strip of sleazy strip clubs only a block or two from the Whitehouse.

In addition, those "most dangerous" polls focus on 'major' cities; Flint [[also in Michigan) is more dangerous than Detroit, but it never rates a mention because it is not seen as a major player or tourist drawcard.

Enough said for now.

**Honky Tonk** · September-26-17, 06:38 AM

Originally Posted by night-timer

This is a topic that could go on and on... and it probably will.

Like some of you, I saw the "Detroit Most Dangerous!" story in the news last night.

This website is Detroit-centric, and that's completely understandable.

So, this recent news report about Detroit having the "Most Dangerous Status" also said that Detroit has more homicides than Los Angeles, with "four times Detroit's population".

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Greater LA County has far more than "four times" the 750k population of Detroit.

LA would rival Chicago and New York.

Detroit being the most dangerous place on earth is a tired old cliche'.

Yes, there are obvious areas to avoid if you're a white tourist in an Anorak.

But are we looking at Detroit from the perspective of an insider or an out-of-town outsider?

The guy posting comments about romantic dinners might want to look at Greektown, even though he won't get much highrise there.

Likewise, other visitors to Detroit will also find Greektown quite nice, along with Downtown, Ren Cen/Riverwalk, Belle Isle in the daytime before it shuts, Corktown [[along Michigan Avenue), Midtown, Foxtown and the 'Theater District' near Midtown, Jefferson Avenue, and DIA/WSU [[not much food there, though).

The crime is mostly drug-related and does not occur in the built-up areas.

Looking beyond the City of Detroit, every major American city has areas that should be avoided. Even Washington DC has a long strip of sleazy strip clubs only a block or two from the Whitehouse.

In addition, those "most dangerous" polls focus on 'major' cities; Flint [[also in Michigan) is more dangerous than Detroit, but it never rates a mention because it is not seen as a major player or tourist drawcard.

Enough said for now.

Good post, Bro', what Detroit neighborhood do you live in?

**Bham1982** · September-26-17, 07:05 AM

Originally Posted by night-timer

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Greater LA County has far more than "four times" the 750k population of Detroit.

LA would rival Chicago and New York.

This is a city comparison, not a county comparison. LA County crime stats are irrelevent.

NYC has around 8.5 million people, LA has around 3.9 million people, and Chicago has around 2.7 million people, BTW.

**MrMichigan** · September-26-17, 08:24 AM

To add to my post, I've lived on the east side for about a year and a half and have not experienced any crime. I expect to one day, but who knows.

**Meddle** · September-26-17, 09:05 AM

There are still entire sections of the city that are unsafe. Always have been and always will be. Part of city life in any city. There is no disputing that.

Until and unless the 'recovery' extends well outside the small central area now seeing signs, the city will always be a sewer in the eyes of the world.

DetroitNightLights · September-26-17, 11:45 AM

The Police in Detroit have been doing a great job getting rid of the problem of motor vehicle threat.

Detroit: Towing company swiped cars in elaborate scheme:
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/new...cam/105797000/

The more eyes on the street there is, the more crime will go down. Detroit was a place with a lot of "crimes of opportunity" involving theft, burglary, larceny, building code violations, and vandalism.

**iheartthed** · September-26-17, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by night-timer

Detroit being the most dangerous place on earth is a tired old cliche'.

Yes, there are obvious areas to avoid if you're a white tourist in an Anorak.

But are we looking at Detroit from the perspective of an insider or an out-of-town outsider?

These articles are the original click bait. It is useless information for 99.9% of people who read it. Even the Free Press article acknowledges:

Note: The FBI specifically advises against using its data to create rankings. According to the FBI's website, such comparisons "lead to simplistic and/or incomplete analyses that often create misleading perceptions adversely affecting communities and their residents."

You are far more likely to be assaulted or murdered if you are a Detroit resident than if you are a visitor. And within the population of Detroit residents there are other indicators that would also greatly increase or decrease your likelihood of being a murder victim [[socioeconomic status, affiliation with violent social circles, etc.). This is really a news story about math that the media can easily slap a sensational headline on and reliably get cheap ratings.

**rex** · September-26-17, 05:00 PM

Heres the thing Mary. The parts of town with interesting things to see are safe enough but you always need to be aware of your surroundings. The areas that blow up the crime stats [[unless you are interested in crack and heroin) are areas to avoid. There is not a whole lot of touristic value. The biggest exception here is Mexican village. I'm not suggesting its a war zone but there is crime and you should be aware. You should also check out eastern market which is safe.

Come to Detroit, have a blast, keep and open mind, and realize that if you are walking around ruin porn sites on the east side with an 800 dollar camera, a 1500 dollar channel bag there is a pretty good chance someone will see you as an easy mark and take you for your stuff and if thats all they take consider yourself fortunate

**rex** · September-26-17, 05:05 PM

You may want to link up with some locals. If you are driving and would like to make friends send a PM. My spouse is an MD/PHD in hematology in Japan and will be spending the next several months here. Im from the east side of town and now reside in Ann Arbor which is about 45 minutes from city limits. I think your trip to Detroit would be highly enhanced if you had some locals show you around. Neither of us drive so you would have to scoop us up. You are welcome to message me

**detroitsgwenivere** · September-26-17, 07:28 PM

In the last 8 years, Ive had my apartment robbed, apartment building vandalized, another separate break-in attempt, car hit and ran'd, car broke into, theft of items from my property...

I live in Corktown. It is what it is.

**corktownyuppie** · September-27-17, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by detroitsgwenivere

In the last 8 years, Ive had my apartment robbed, apartment building vandalized, another separate break-in attempt, car hit and ran'd, car broke into, theft of items from my property...

I live in Corktown. It is what it is.

This is the weird thing about Detroit. Your mileage can vary greatly, and I'm not exactly sure why.

I've lived in Corktown, south of Michigan Ave and East of Trumbull since 2010. None of the above things have happened to me. I lived on Outer Drive and East Warren until 1996 and the only incident I've experienced was someone stealing a subwoofer out my minivan parked on the street when I was in high school.

Crime in Detroit is a weird beast and difficult to explain.

DetroitNightLights · September-27-17, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by corktownyuppie

This is the weird thing about Detroit. Your mileage can vary greatly, and I'm not exactly sure why.

[...]

Crime in Detroit is a weird beast and difficult to explain.

It actually makes perfect sense if you follow the crime reports.

Crime of opportunity is really the only random crime of prevalence, in the way of vandalism, theft, and burglary.
Violent crime usually befalls those dabbling on the black market.
There is also some domestic violence going on in some households, but I don't think that is notably higher than most other places. Its a problem, but you know if it is a problem or not for you.

99% of the time these are the problems, and ones you can avoid.

**Meddle** · September-27-17, 07:33 PM

I'm not even sure burglary is all that random. I think much of it is neighbors or near neighbors. Someone is watching and observing; seeing what is carried into houses or what goes out in the trash [[that flat screen TV box should not be left at the curb), WHO is going in and out and when [[are they alone?, are they on a schedule?) and what the person typically wears [[fancy clothes might mean more fancy stuff inside) and so on.

**MrMichigan** · September-27-17, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by Meddle

I'm not even sure burglary is all that random. I think much of it is neighbors or near neighbors. Someone is watching and observing; seeing what is carried into houses or what goes out in the trash [[that flat screen TV box should not be left at the curb), WHO is going in and out and when [[are they alone?, are they on a schedule?) and what the person typically wears [[fancy clothes might mean more fancy stuff inside) and so on.

Definitely true. The downturn allowed some subpar residents to move into nicer neighborhoods and they still may live there today.

**detroitsgwenivere** · September-27-17, 10:47 PM

What I dealt with were crimes of opportunity and chance. And location. When you live on a main drag or in a high traffic neighborhood, you are a lot more exposed. People notice you. They walk up and down the street at all times of the day and night. It's also harder to tell down here if someone is just passing through looking at the historical homes or if they're casing the place.

I know I'm not the only one who this has happened to in this part of town and I definitely know I haven't gotten the worst of it.