Note that fewer people mean enhanced safety for you. Memphis has also kept its reputation as one of the countrys most dangerous cities, an aspect of the town that is slowly improving. Heres a list of the top 10 most dangerous cities in the United States ranked by violent crime rate in 2020. link to Whatever Happened To Alexandra Isles, 'Victoria Winters' From Dark Shadows? In 2020 Memphis had a murder rate of 52.44 per 100,000 residents, which is one of the highest in the nation. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. You are advised to avoid putting on expensive jewelry or flashy clothing because it brings attention to you, making it easy for pickpockets to spot and target you. The downtown area of Memphis is located along the Mississippi River between Interstate 40 to the north, Interstate 55 to the south, and I-240 to the east. Never go to a house party if you are invited - you don't want to walk into a dangerous situation. ", "If you stick to the popular areas like midtown, Cooper Young, Beale Street, Main Street, you will most likely be fine. I visited 15years ago one of our party got robbed and beaten up . The buses will take you throughout the city, but you're more likely to consider using the trolley that goes around downtown and to the riverfront. We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Is Memphis dangerous right now? In addition to the above, other safety concerns for visiting Memphis include: Theres cause for concern among tourists traveling to Memphis regarding their safety and well-being due to the rising criminal cases reported daily. By the way, the local food is terrific. Literally. Is Memphis TN a dangerous city? Its safer to give loose change from your pocket or avoid giving money to panhandlers entirely. Late at night the situation might change when there is not a lot of people around. We have beautiful buildings and houses that are 100+ years old. And I have only seen cops pulling people over one time. Here is a list of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Memphis that you should avoid. We shopped at Sears for hours and never felt unsafe. Dirty streets overflowing garbage in the historic areas. But all in all I really fell in love with the place and the people. If you are just visiting, you would have no reason to go to North Memphis anyway. The most dangerous areas in the Memphis metro area are in red, with moderately safe areas in yellow. If you do walk, make sure to keep your wallet in your pocket or carry your purse close to your body. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. You have to keep your head on a swivel and always been checking your surroundings. Memphis is undoubtedly one of America's greatest music cities - its rich heritage birthed rock 'n' roll and its own version of soul and the blues. The city might look a little gritty in places and dynamic in others. Thanks for the info. Stay in Germantown, Collierville or East Memphis, and you will most likely be fine. ", "I think its fair to say that large swaths of the city are filled with rough neighborhoods. As soon as I can get out, I will.I have never seen so much depressing things. The area is full of young professionals who want to live in the city but without chaos. Just to the west of I-240 between Poplar and Walnut Grove are some of the nicest homes in Memphis. Have visited Memphis quite a bit over the past few years, as wife is a native Memphian. Anglers can explore 20 fishing holes in the park, but some lakes have different rules so check the Shelby Farm Park website before you cast a line. It is also a city you shouldn't avoid because of that - you just need to know the information you're researching now. There were 1900 murders in Memphis in 2019. Vestavia Hills City Council approved a $6.3 million plan to add a shopping center to U.S. Highway 31. Everything You Wanted To Know About Los Angeles Skid Row, Is Chicago Safe To Visit? Certain areas of Memphis are very dangerous. Yellowstone vs Zion: Which National Park Should I Visit? Travel news, itineraries, and inspiration delivered straight to your inbox. Memphis is the largest city in the top ten, and it's also the most violent of all the cities we're going to talk about. Shreveport saw 9,294 . I have been in & out of Memphis multiple times and have lived here over 20 years. We did have one of the hotel workers escort us across the street just to go to the convenience store and I guess thats when it set in that we cant be out at night. Neither place is Disney World. (2022 Crime Rate And Crime Stats), Is Detroit Safe To Visit? Why Are Asian People So Smart? Also following the safety tips posted above will help you mitigate your chances of becoming a victim. Memphis, Tennessee Cleveland, Ohio Baton Rouge, Louisiana Kansas City, Missouri Shreveport, Louisiana Honolulu, the second largest safe city in America. Memphis has long struggled with violent crimes, generally in minority communities caught in a cycle of poverty. 342 people in Memphis were murdered last year. About every other episode is from Memphis tn. The crime index here is at a high level. I felt safer in Memphis than I did in New York. Darkness brings out more of the extreme criminals, and a neighborhood you walk through at noon may be an area where you hide in your home at night. Hince the fact that every other episode of first 48 is in Memphis tn. Of course, there are some areas you should avoidjust like OTHER cities. While people here enjoy a fair amount of security during the day, things turn for the worst at night. It is crime-filled. I dont know what negative feelings you have, but its false. very safe area. Downtown is home to a large police presence both during the day and night, but travelers should still exercise caution in tourist areas, which are known to have a high concentration of panhandlers. The most dangerous areas in Memphis is based on data from the local . - Senior Reporter, Silicon Valley Business Journal. You are advised to park your car in a safe area with better security and to keep your pricey belongings safely tucked away when in Whitehaven. To learn more, you can also read our posts on why Anchorage is so dangerous, why St Louis is so dangerous, and why Oakland is so dangerous. A few days later, a mass shooter randomly drove around shooting people and stealing cars in a crime spree that led to lockdowns, a freeze on mass transportation, and a citywide call to stay inside. Keep your eyes open for drivers who run red lights, or who drive too slowly in the fast lane of the interstate. Its definitely become less safe since I moved here in 1985. Using official tourism sites helps you avoid viruses and phishing for the personal information you can find on third-party websites. If every state had a first 48 crime lab there you would see all the dangerous areas it would take over the news, tv shows, commercials, etc. Report inappropriate content FGrantWhittle Memphis, Tennessee Destination Expert for Memphis Level Contributor Tourist cities are the mecca for people that live their lives scamming others. Memphis welcomes close to 10 million visitorsannually. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. While the risk from the data looks low, it's smart to consider it a medium risk, especially if you're going to "Walking in Memphis" and enjoying the nightlife in the crowded bars and streets. ", " If youre not involved with gangs or drugs, youll avoid a vast majority of the crime thats represented in the crime statistics. One friend was shot in killed. By Shelby Harris. Big River Crossing offers an opportunity to walk or bike across the Mississippi River. Its not a racial thing its a poverty thing. If you visit the Wolfchase mall area, be very careful. Dont touch the water and certainly dont swim in it. (11 Reasons Why), Why Does Batman Not Kill? Not all of Memphis is a high risk either, but it's such a "block by block" danger in some neighborhoods, you deserve to be aware of the higher crime rates here. Ended up moving here. However the city cant seem to distance itself from its other reputation of being dangerous. However, there are cabs and trolleys that will get you safely to your destination as well. If youre walking on or around Beale street, youre likely to encounter panhandlers asking for money. Next day, in broad daylight some guy came out of a back alley on Beale street, with his eye cut open bleeding all over himself. The tricky thing about Memphis is that the city is very block by block, meaning one street is nice and the next street over is crime-ridden. Have someone walk you to your car if you're out at night. While West Memphis is very dangerous, Memphis has a lot of crime on its own. Especially in the tourist areas like Beale Street, you'll see street performers or gymnasts doing flips and playing music. That's not to say crime is not an issue, but as in any metro city, if you exercise caution and common sense, you will be OK. You can have stately Southern homes on one block and drive two blocks over to see small shotgun homes (the houses that are basic and long, as if a shotgun blast could go straight through it) and suspicious activity on the streets. To me Memphis was beautiful and I will be moving there soon. . Is Memphis safe? We walked around a lot, especially down Main Street. Most panhandlers are harmless, but there are thieves that will snatch your wallet if you bring it out. City prosecutors are the top dogs when it comes to fighting crime within a city, and they are the ones that put the criminals where they belong, behind bars. Not only is that dangerous, but theres also a Fentanyl outbreak that causes overdoses and deaths at an alarming rate. Many say that it is the worst city in the nation regarding crimes per person in the town. TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK : LOW Memphis has a public transportation system called MATA. Take a look at some of the possible dangers you might encounter while visiting the city, so that you can stay safe and enjoy your visit. Why Is Memphis So Dangerous? YES!!! If it looks like you shouldnt be there, leave. Downtown has the unenviable title of the most dangerous neighborhood in Memphis. We are a product of our environment. By the number from 2021, here are some of the risks in Memphis: Memphis has too much history to be considered too dangerous to visit, but you need to have all your safety skills, awareness of the crime issues, and common sense at every step. | Safety Concerns, Is Norway Safe to Visit in 2023? A good portion of the town is safe, but some parts have a heavy gang presence. If she's staying near Graceland, that's not an area where it would be safe to walk around at night. Memphis is not a safe place to visit. I took that advice for granted when I moved here because I had lived in places where car break ins were fairly rare. Although you will have a higher chance of being a victim if you are in Orange Mound or Frayser. We did get laughed at by the locals when we said we went to the bus station to get a bus and were strictly warned to never do that again (we stood out like sore thumbs) and were even told by a local theyd give us their car keys before we ever did that again we visited the Peabody and stayed in The Hampton Inn and a few other spots and the level of care and friendliness from the staff in hotels was astounding. We deep dived into the statistics, crime reports and talked to the residents of the city to give you a better understanding of how safe the city really is. I have students who are Engineering majors at UofM. Midtown is hella safe too. Flooding can happen with the banks of the Mississippi so close by. Tourist areas like Beale street are full of street performers, gymnasts, and vendors who will expect passers-by to tip them while they play music and show off their moves. That is done by working on why it is so dangerous and addressing one problem at a time. Youll likely be humming it by the time you leave if you can get Lynyrd Skynyrds Free Bird out of your head. Avoid North and South Memphis and you should be fine. You can focus on African American history, musical legends, or even a foodie or brew tour. This was my only time in town, but both days I saw some violent crime cool town though, didnt stop me from going to be bb kings the second night, great music. The 29-year-old says the situation is complex and a symptom of mass tourism. Generally, Memphis is a safe place for tourists. If you're into country music, Nashville is the obvious choice. Most unsafe neighborhoods in Memphis are on the citys outskirts. I am telling you that the safest place in Memphis are tourist attractions; there are cops everywhere. Luckily, most areas where violent criminal cases are high are far from where tourists are likely to visit. The vacant 2 . If you dont have business being in a certain neighborhood do not go there.
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