Is Jacksonville Protected? All the pieces You Want To Know Earlier than You Go to
When planning any journey, you wish to ensure that wherever you’re going is secure. So, is Jacksonville secure? After visiting the town for 5 years and dwelling right here full-time for a 12 months, I can let you know that Jacksonville is a superbly secure place to go to for vacationers. Identical to all large cities, you simply have to know which areas to go to and which areas to keep away from in Jacksonville.
In line with U.S. Information, Jacksonville was ranked #16 on the “Finest Locations to Dwell” in the USA. It’s really a lovely metropolis with tons to supply, many nice areas to remain, and an virtually infinite checklist of issues to do. Right here’s a bit extra about Daring Metropolis and its general security.
Is Jacksonville Protected For Guests?
Total, vacationers don’t want to fret about their security in Jacksonville. Locations that vacationers go to, like downtown and the seaside areas, are completely secure and are recognized for his or her low crime charges.
The climate could be a bit intense through the wet months (August and September), so correct journey planning is certainly suggested. Flights will be delayed and street journey could be harmful at instances, nonetheless, inclement climate normally passes pretty rapidly in Jacksonville.
I like dwelling in Jacksonville and have by no means felt that my security was in jeopardy. Vacationers ought to really feel assured that theirs gained’t both.
Climate In Jacksonville
The climate in Jacksonville varies enormously from season to season. Most individuals suppose Florida is heat all 12 months spherical, and whereas the summers are scorching and humid, the winters are literally fairly cool. The truth is, over the course of a 12 months, the temperature varies from 46 to 95 levels.
Count on heavy downpours and thunderstorms through the scorching summer season months, and crisp, vibrant days through the winter months. No matter season you resolve to go to Jacksonville, it’s all the time lovely and there’s all the time a enjoyable exercise to do.
The factor I like probably the most about dwelling in Jacksonville is that simply whenever you’ve had sufficient sunshine, you get aid from just a little little bit of rain earlier than the solar returns. It’s a subtropical local weather (in contrast to the tropical climates in Miami or Tampa) which I personally discover to be perfect.
SEE ALSO: Finest Time To Go to Jacksonville, Florida (By a Metropolis Native)
Hazardous Climate and Pure Disasters
Jacksonville can expertise extreme storms from late Might to September. Heavy rainfall, lightning, damaging winds, hail, and even tornadoes are potential. July via September is the height of the moist and stormy season.
In September of 1964, Hurricane Dora prompted 14 inches of rain that resulted in horrific flooding across the metropolis of Jacksonville. Nevertheless, the worst storm to hit Jacksonville was Tropical Storm Irma in September of 2017. The St. Johns River flooded to historic ranges, placing Jacksonville and Jax Seaside underwater.
Hurricane Season in Jacksonville
Hurricane season runs from June 1st to November thirtieth, nonetheless, the season typically peaks between mid-August and late October. Fortunately, as a consequence of Jacksonville’s location, hurricanes and tropical storms are likely to miss the town, and vital harm is normally averted. The 2 storms talked about above are the greatest to hit the town in over 100 years.
Issues to Know About Security in Jacksonville
Security for guests and residents in Jacksonville is usually not a priority. Total, for giant cities, Jacksonville is a secure metropolis to go to – in fact, as with every massive metropolis, sure areas must be averted. After 5 years of spending time within the metropolis, I’ve by no means felt unsafe within the locations and areas I frequent.
Since Jacksonville is a significant metropolis, guests have to do their analysis and know which locations are secure and which areas must be averted. Almost all vacationer and well-liked sights, occasions, and eating places are situated in secure areas of Jacksonville.
Crime in Jacksonville
The statistics for crime and security in Jacksonville are just a little putting and aren’t a correct illustration of the favored vacationer spots of the town. Nevertheless, as a consequence of excessive crime in sure areas, the numbers could be a bit alarming. Any guests ought to all the time full their very own thorough analysis earlier than selecting which neighborhood to remain in.
In line with Neighborhood Scout, Jacksonville was given a complete crime index of 8, which suggests it’s safer than 8% of U.S. neighborhoods. The crime charge is roughly 33.76 (per 1,000 residents) with 6.87 being violent crimes. Compared, the violent crime charge within the U.S. is roughly 5.6.
CrimeGrade.org provides Jacksonville a criminal offense grade of “C,” which is across the identical common as different main U.S. cities. Additionally they place Jacksonville within the forty fifth percentile for security which suggests 55% of cities could be thought of safer and 45% of cities are extra harmful.
Jacksonville Security Ideas
Regardless of the figures above, there are a lot of secure areas in Jacksonville and methods to make sure your security and luxury whereas visiting the town. In 2021, the town noticed a 28% drop in violent crime and the sheriff’s workplace is working to make sure these numbers go down yearly.
I’ve explored Jacksonville from prime to backside, and its surrounding areas as nicely, so I’ve been in a position to get gauge of which neighborhoods are the most secure. Listed here are some insights and recommendations on security in Jacksonville that I’ve gathered through the years.
Protected Neighborhoods and Areas in Jacksonville
Jacksonville is an enormous, sprawling metropolis with dozens of neighborhoods. Throughout the Jax metropolis limits, there are additionally plenty of very secure neighborhoods. These are the highest three most secure areas in Jacksonville.
Eagle Bend: The small, quiet space of Eagle Bend is by far the most secure neighborhood in Jacksonville, boasting a criminal offense charge 94% decrease than the town’s common. It’s a lovely neighborhood surrounded by nature and it’s additionally very inexpensive.
Ortega Forest: With a criminal offense charge 81% decrease than the Jacksonville common, the prosperous space of Ortega Forest on the west facet of the town may be very secure. It’s one of many wealthiest neighborhoods within the metropolis the place you’ll discover riverfront mansions constructed within the 1900s.
Girvin: One of many most secure seaside cities in Jacksonville is Girvin. Its crime charge is 77% decrease than the town’s common which makes it fairly engaging. The realm is well-liked with the youthful crowd and has a full of life nightlife scene.
Frequent Scams in Jacksonville
Fortunately, there aren’t many tourist-related scams in Jacksonville, nonetheless, Florida ranks because the second-worst state for rip-off victims and Jacksonville ranks because the Tenth-worst metropolis for potential rip-off victims. Sadly, many of those scams goal senior residents.
E-mail Scams: E-mail scams are frequent within the Jacksonville space. Potential victims will obtain an e-mail disguised as a supply service similar to USPS, FedEx, or UPS. They trick you by saying a bundle is delayed and encourage you to click on a hyperlink then present private data or ship cash.
Telephone Scams: Scams through textual content or cell telephones are quite common in Jacksonville. One disturbing rip-off is when the scammer calls a possible sufferer, asks “Are you able to hear me?” and information the decision. They then use your response of “sure” or “no” to try to enroll in companies that solely require a verbal settlement.
LGBTQ+ Security
Jacksonville has a vibrant LGBTQ+ group, nonetheless, a 2017 research confirmed that 75% of lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, and transgender adults in Northeast Florida skilled threats, continual disrespect, and harassment due to their gender or sexual orientation.
The outcomes of the research will probably be utilized in grant-making choices and the implementation of Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance. This ordinance prohibits discrimination primarily based on race, intercourse, sexual orientation, and gender identification. Presently, Florida has no such nondiscrimination legal guidelines.
Consuming Water Security
The faucet water in Jacksonville is completely secure to drink. The JEA (the native water utility) says they check the water greater than 50,000 instances per 12 months. Though it’s secure to drink, some declare that it has an disagreeable style in areas of the town and locals have expressed emotions that extra might be carried out to purify the water.
In the event you’d like extra particulars on the water’s check outcomes, the JEA releases Water High quality Experiences yearly. You may obtain reviews courting again ten years.
Put together For Jacksonville’s Climate
Relying on whenever you go to, Jacksonville’s climate will be unpredictable at instances. I’ve realized a couple of ideas whereas dwelling in Jacksonville and I’m very happy to share them with you.
All the time have an additional layer within the automotive: Preserving a sweatshirt or hoodie within the automotive is one thing I all the time do now. In the summertime, it’s extraordinarily scorching, so that you’ll most certainly be sporting shorts and a tank prime, however many eating places and bars are blasting their A/C and I find yourself freezing. Through the winter, it could be sunny and 65 at midday however clouds can rapidly roll in inflicting the temperature to drop to lows of 55. In each circumstances, the additional layer is a savior.
By no means depart residence with out sunscreen and bug spray: Florida is generally sunny all 12 months spherical, so making sunscreen part of your day by day routine is essential – not solely whenever you’re on the seaside. I counsel you to maintain bug spray in your bag as nicely; through the humid summer season months, the mosquitos and different bugs will be brutal.
A small umbrella is a giant funding: Thunderstorms and heavy downpours can seem out of nowhere in Jacksonville. One minute it’s sunny, and the subsequent, you could possibly be soaked. I wish to hold a small umbrella in my bag through the wet season… simply in case.
Be Conscious of Your Environment
Irrespective of the place you journey, it’s all the time vital to pay attention to your environment. Even within the most secure areas of Jacksonville, it’s greatest to maintain your senses sharp always. By no means stroll with earbuds, don’t stroll alone at night time, and put on a cross-body bag as a substitute of an over-the-shoulder bag.
Keep Close to Well-liked Sights
When staying close to well-liked areas, you are usually in safer and lower-crime areas. Locations like Jacksonville Seaside (and surrounding seaside cities), San Marco, or Southside are nice choices for secure neighborhoods in Jacksonville.
Go away Valuables at Dwelling
Though the possibilities of theft in your go to to Jacksonville are extraordinarily low, it’s all the time smart to go away costly or sentimental valuables at residence. Issues like rings, designer purses, or laptops are usually gadgets which might be focused for theft.
Plan Forward
Having a sport plan is all the time a good suggestion when touring. “Is it secure in Jacksonville?” is a query that shouldn’t play in your thoughts throughout your go to. That’s why analysis and planning are important earlier than reserving any flights or lodging.
Dangers & Warnings in Jacksonville
- OVERALL RISK: Medium
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: Low
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: Low
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: Medium
- MUGGING RISK: Medium
- TERRORISM RISK: Medium
- SCAMS RISK: Low
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: Medium
- TAP WATER RISK: Low
Security Information to Locations in Jacksonville
Understanding which neighborhoods and areas are secure and which of them are harmful will hold you out of hurt’s manner whenever you go to Jax. Under, you’ll discover lists of secure and harmful areas in Jacksonville.
Most secure Locations to Go to in Jacksonville
Security is all the time a precedence whenever you’re touring. E-book your lodge or guesthouse within the neighborhoods beneath, and also you’ll be capable of relaxation nicely at night time.
Eagle Bend: As talked about above, Eagle Bend is by far the most secure neighborhood in Jacksonville. Its crime charge is 94% decrease than the town’s. The one draw back is that it’s fairly removed from the town middle – touring in will take over half an hour.
Isle of Palms: Simply outdoors of Jacksonville Seaside is the attractive neighborhood of Isle of Palms. Boasting waterfront houses and a world-class hospital, this space’s crime charge is 76% decrease than the town’s.
Cobblestone: The walkable neighborhood of Cobblestone in Northeast Jacksonville is extremely secure. Its crime charge is 80% decrease than the town’s.
Locations to Keep away from in Jacksonville
Like every other main metropolis, there are some harmful areas in Jacksonville, however high-crime neighborhoods are usually not the place a typical vacationer would go to. Downtown and the seashores are very secure. Listed here are a number of the worst neighborhoods in Jacksonville.
twenty ninth and Chase: The neighborhood (not an intersection) of twenty ninth and Chase is an space that must be averted. Positioned in North Jacksonville, it has a criminal offense charge that’s shockingly 402% increased than the nationwide common. This space makes up a bulk of Jacksonville’s crime.
East Jacksonville: With a criminal offense charge 372% increased than the nationwide common, the realm of East Jacksonville isn’t a spot you wish to enterprise to. The variety of crimes dedicated is simply shy of twenty ninth and Chase.
Mid-West Facet: One other harmful neighborhood in Jacksonville is the Mid-West Facet. The crime charge is 379% increased than the nationwide common.
Often Requested Questions About Jacksonville Security
I’ve explored the neighborhoods, talked to long-time locals, and realized quite a bit about Jacksonville security. Listed here are some frequent questions individuals are likely to have.
Jacksonville’s crime charge is increased than the nationwide common, nonetheless, the high-crime areas are usually not in areas of curiosity or well-liked vacationer sights. Neighborhoods which might be frequent for vacationers to go to are very secure.
The dangerous areas in Jacksonville are twenty ninth & Chase, East Jacksonville, and the Mid-West Facet.
In secure, tourist-centric neighborhoods, it’s okay to stroll at night time. It’s all the time greatest to train warning and solely stroll through the day or all the time have somebody with you should you’re strolling within the night. In sure, extra harmful areas of Jacksonville, it will not be thought of secure to stroll at night time.
Relying on the neighborhood, Jacksonville is secure for solo vacationers. Areas like Jacksonville Seaside, Neptune Seaside, Avondale, and Mandarin are very secure neighborhoods in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville is secure at night time in lots of areas, particularly the seaside cities. Mandarin, Avondale, and the Southside are all very secure at night time.
Keep away from high-crime areas like twenty ninth & Chase, East Jacksonville, and the Mid-West Facet.
Sure, Jacksonville is secure for households. Seaside cities and San Marco are nice choices for households.
Jacksonville is safer than Miami. The violent crime charge of Jacksonville is 33.9 whereas Miami’s is 48.8.
The most secure a part of Jacksonville is Eagle Bend in North Jacksonville. Different secure areas embrace East Arlington, Isle of Palms, Girvin, and Mandarin.
New York Metropolis is safer than Jacksonville. The violent crime charge of Jacksonville is 33.9 whereas New York’s is 28.2.
The a part of Jacksonville that’s the most harmful known as twenty ninth & Chase. Different unsafe areas embrace East Jacksonville and the Mid-West Facet.
The most secure a part of Jacksonville known as Eagle Bend, about half-hour north of downtown. Different secure areas embrace the seaside cities, Southside, and Mandarin.
Jacksonville’s crime charge is increased than the nationwide common. Violent crime in Jacksonville is 33.9 whereas the nationwide common is 22.7.
Last Ideas – Is Jacksonville Actually Protected?
So, is Jacksonville secure? All in all, Jacksonville is a superb and secure metropolis for vacationers to go to and for individuals to stay in. Though the info is alarming, it’s vital to take into account that the vast majority of crime is happening in particular areas of Jacksonville. Many neighborhoods are very secure and are perfect for a trip, a getaway, or an evening out.
I’ve cherished dwelling in Jacksonville for the previous 12 months. I’m repeatedly discovering so many hidden gems throughout the town and have by no means felt unsafe within the locations I frequent. In the event you’re planning a go to or considering of constructing a transfer to the town, your security in Jacksonville doesn’t must be a fear or concern.
