It's been said that if you see women jogging in a neighborhood after dark, there's a high chance that it is a safe place. It's not a hard-and-fast rule, but rather a rough indicator of the level of safety in a particular area.
Perhaps a better way to look at it is "what are the signs that a neighborhood is potentially dangerous?"
Someone wondered this exact thing recently and decided to ask people online. The response was somewhat overwhelming, with thousands adding their personal ideas of "red flags" to the replies. While a few should be taken with a pinch of salt, others are things that you might want to pay attention to next time you're out and about.
Bored Panda has whittled down the list to a few answers that you can scroll through before you step out the door. We've also done some of our own research to find out what points to a neighborhood being less than savory. You'll find that info between the images. Don't forget to upvote the ones you agree with, and feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments section down below.
#21
I'm in the UK and live in one of the least desirable parts of my city. I'd say litter everywhere, fly-tipped items with a 'council aware' sticker on them (bonus points if the item, with sticker, has been there for months), more mobility scooter users than walkers (I exaggerate, but it feels that way), the charity box in the local convenience shop is chained down (but some genius still tries to steal it), teens in face mask, beanie, hoodie and puffer jacket even during the current heatwave, dogs left outside barking all day, dog s**t everywhere, broken glass everywhere ('people pissing on the stairs, you know they just don't care' - sorry, I couldn't resist), when your dog picks up a mouthful of human feces on his walk (I'm counting 4 times it's happened to us so far), neighbours I have never seen out of nightie, dressing gown and slippers, and of course the ubiquitous working age men gathering from around 8am to 5pm to drink on the corner of the street.
Despite all of that, after living here 11 years I'd say it's still fairly safe (touch wood), just a depressing, deprived s**t hole.
Despite all of that, after living here 11 years I'd say it's still fairly safe (touch wood), just a depressing, deprived s**t hole.
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14points
#22
For me, I was driving in Oakland CA. Looking for a store i wanted go to. I didn't know the city very well and this was pre navigation. We'll I made a few wrong turns and ended up in a neighborhood and came up to a stop sign in front of an elementary school where there was five 20 something guys just standing on the corner all with 40oz's. This was like 11:00am. One of them even said "look at this guy, he must be lost." Yes, yes I am.
13points
#23
A prevalence of unmowed lawns, a lack of grills or patio furniture, people of working age loitering around during the business day, lots of Pitbulls, no kids playing outside or biking around outside of school hours, lots of litter, and more.
Basically if the residents don’t care to make their community look nice or can’t because their stuff will get stolen, that’s a red flag.
Basically if the residents don’t care to make their community look nice or can’t because their stuff will get stolen, that’s a red flag.
12points
#24
If it’s my neighborhood, it’s the people shooting up out in the open. While mostly harmless, it does lead to a lot more erratic behaviour.
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11points
#26
In the UK;
The high street is bookies, takeaways, phone case shops and Turkish barbers.
And in residential areas; a reedy guy with two big dogs required by law to be muzzled (that aren't) that he has absolutely zero control over. Also piles of discarded furniture in the unkempt front garden.
The high street is bookies, takeaways, phone case shops and Turkish barbers.
And in residential areas; a reedy guy with two big dogs required by law to be muzzled (that aren't) that he has absolutely zero control over. Also piles of discarded furniture in the unkempt front garden.
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10points
#27
When you feeeeel some eyes SOMEWHERE are always watching you but you don't see any people.
If you've been around bad areas growing up you should have a radar for this vibe. If you don't you've probably been mugged before or had your head held down in a bathtub with the water running.
If you've been around bad areas growing up you should have a radar for this vibe. If you don't you've probably been mugged before or had your head held down in a bathtub with the water running.
9points
#28
A lot of liquor stores and pawn shops. Store fronts with bared windows. Trash everywhere.
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9points
#30
Drove down a street in broad daylight and saw a man walking a big dog while carrying a baseball bat. We were looking at rentals, so we were going kind of slow. The man stopped walking to stare at us going by. Nope, not renting there.
8points
#31
Kids wearing ski masks in summer is always bad.
7points
#32
Someone absolutely blasting music from a portable speaker. .
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7points
#33
Go to the corner store. Look for 1) Roses in glass tubes 2) an actual magazine rack with p**n mags 3) the clerk is behind glass.
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6points
#34
Dudes wearing hoodies in summer. I live in Atlanta. If I wore a hoodie in the summer, there’s a California Raisin inside.
6points
#35
Grocery stores have a lot of things locked up. You get yelled at by people having mental health issues.
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6points
#36
If you see people wearing non seasonal clothing, working age men sitting around middle of the day, lots of litter, seeing payday loan shops, thrift stores.
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5points
#37
Burning oil drums, 1980s action movie street gangs howling at the moon, other make believe s**t that people nowadays like to pretend their cities are like.
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5points
#38
Bunch of dudes on every corner goin "aayyyo". What you need? What you need?
4points
#39
The streetlights start looking really intense and bright. Made the wrong turn when driving through the city and ended up seeing the change from regular looking streetlights to ones that look like they will make the entire area bright as midday.
4points
#40
Broken windows theory.
A prevalence of broken windows shows the community doesn't care to repair/replace them as it doesn't make sense to do so. Graffiti, cars abandoned in public, etc.
A prevalence of broken windows shows the community doesn't care to repair/replace them as it doesn't make sense to do so. Graffiti, cars abandoned in public, etc.
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4points