The United States of America is among the most popular tourist destinations on the planet. Everywhere visitors go, they should still take different safety precautions and learn which locations they should avoid in order to be safe. A number of cities in the United States have high levels of crime. New Orleans is at the top of the list of some of the most dangerous cities.
New Orleans is a fantastic destination to visit, though it has a reputation. Petty theft and assaults are common in tourist areas, as are drunken felonies at particular times of the year. New Orleans’ violence became well-known in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Since that day, New Orleans has done a lot to reduce crime, although it has the high casualty rate in the country, at 46.9 per 100,000 people. Read below to find the answer to ‘is New Orleans dangerous’ or safe now?
Is New Orleans dangerous or safe to Visit Now?
Since various community organisations assisted in the New Orleans reconstruction, things have considerably improved. Despite criminality, which is mostly concentrated in residential neighbourhoods, and concerns about future hurricanes – or a catastrophic storm – the visitor numbers speak for themselves.
Seasonal events may also have an impact on how much fun you have in New Orleans. The Jazz Festival, the French Quarter Festival, and – most famously – Mardi Gras all bring large numbers to the city. There should be a lot of people, a lot of alcohol, and partying for visitors. Finally, New Orleans is a safe place to visit right now if you exercise common sense. Once you start seeking trouble, you’ll almost certainly find it. Having a safe experience in New Orleans requires a small amount of work, but it will pay off in the long run.
Dangerous Places you must avoid in New Orleans
Desire
Despite the small population of 2,629-person communities, there are nevertheless areas where crime is reported on a daily basis which itself describe is New Orleans dangerous or not. Desire was one of New Orleans’ most dangerous neighbourhoods because of its high crime rate. The Black Panther gunfight in 1970 is one of the most well-known causes for this community’s deadly image. It was also renowned for its high drug use rates, which included illicit drugs, morphine, and cocaine and heroin, all of which contributed to a rise in crime.
Saint Roch
This area has had a high level of crime, with an increase in violence over the last five years. According to a police data study, this district had the fourth-highest rate of gun violence in 2015. With a population of 6,398, the city rises to second place. Robbery appears to be the most affected crime in this area in the last three years. Property crime accounted for 80 per cent of all recorded crimes in 2018, reflecting the high number of thefts.
Tulane- Gravier
The police patrols are apparent at Tulane- Gravier, and its effects vary. While the neighbourhood’s safety is unquestionable, visitors, particularly ladies who are alone, are urged to avoid night exploring. In this ever-sticky area, there are a plethora of nice hotels that come highly recommended. During the day, public transportation is free of the mugger, so your cash-filled handbags and wallets are protected.
Pines Village
Despite having a population of only 3,187 people, this little area has a high crime rate. In 2018, overall crime per 100,000 people increased slightly to 11,113, with violent crime falling to 2,160 occurrences. Petty crimes and thefts, for example, are rarely recorded. As a result, your money is safe in your possession when using public transit. Women who go alone after daybreak should be accompanied. You have a 1 in 9 risks of becoming a victim of crime in Pines Village.
Lower 9th Ward
This region, commonly known as Lower Nine, is home to 3,636 people and is considered amongst New Orleans’ most hazardous places. The rampant crime reports have been mostly attributable to the neighbourhood’s strong drug deals and consumption. It peaked in the late 1990s – until 2005 when the hit slowed things down.
Tremé/ Lafitte
Despite the presence of police, crime rates are 266 per cent greater than the average, with violent crimes being 327 per cent higher. At night, the neighbourhood becomes unsavoury, and moving around may necessitate extra precautions, particularly for the women travelling alone. If you’re visiting and need to use the bus, keep your valuables near to you at all times. Even though cash theft is uncommon, it’s essential to avoid being a victim.
Central City
Central City, also known as the 3rd Ward, was formerly the heart of African-American business and society in the 1990s. This area has a population of 13,536 people with a surprisingly high crime rate. Mobsters, drug traffickers, and New Orleans slums are largely involved in street shootouts. This area of New Orleans has one of the highest rates of gun violence. Between 2011 and 2015, a person was shot 42 times on average.
Seventh Ward
The expected number of residents in this neighbourhood with a low liveability score is 10,552. Property crimes outnumber violent crimes in this neighbourhood, as they do in much of New Orleans. Property crime accounts for 9,573 instances out of a total crime rate of 11,997 per 100,000 inhabitants. While violent crime accounts for 2,424, property crime accounts for 9,573 cases, with the most common crimes being stealing, carjacking, and robbery. The Seventh Ward seemed to be known as a violent infamous area due to its high prevalence of gun violence, which exacerbated the crime rate in New Orleans.
Travelling tips for safe travelling in New Orleans
- Take a tour with a group. In fact, it will be a safer and fantastic opportunity to meet new people, learn about the region you’re travelling to, and move about securely. Make certain to do your homework in order to identify respectable tour providers and operators.
- Make sure your phone is fully charged, and you always have a backup battery pack with you. When you’re in an emergency scenario and your phone’s battery is at 2%, things aren’t going to get much better.
- Secluded places should be avoided. When travelling alone, you are more vulnerable to armed robberies and thievery, which are more likely to happen in places away from the crowds.
- Maintain contact with people from your own country, such as friends and relatives. Travelling alone does not need going off the grid, which is a dangerous way to travel in New Orleans. Instead, let individuals you trust know where you’ll be visiting, what you’ll do, and when you’ll be leaving.
- On a related point, don’t overdrink. Knowing your boundaries is important in any situation, but when you’re alone in a strange place, it’s all too easy to put yourself in danger by becoming so inebriated that you don’t see what’s going on around you.
- It’s a good idea to have many ways to access your money. If your bank card is lost or stolen, you will be unable to withdraw funds; even a small amount will be lost.
- It’s a good idea to get to know the area where you’ll be staying if you want to be safe. To do this, conduct study before your trip and then inquire at your lodging about where it is safe to go, what is fun to do, and where you should avoid visiting.
