Is Milwaukee Safe? Understanding Crime Rates and Neighborhood Safety

To understand the safety in Milwaukee, you have to go through the crime rate data. It gives a clear idea of the common crimes, dangerous areas, and safe places to consider.

In this article, we will comprehensively discuss Milwaukee's safety. We will share the crime data and some safe neighborhoods. We will also list the dangerous parts to avoid and some safety tips to ensure calmness and peace of mind.

Is Milwaukee Safe?

According to the crime statistics, Milwaukee is not considered completely safe. It has a crime index rate of 66.76, which is above the limits. The crime has consistently increased over the past 5 years, with the major crime being theft from cars. The current total crime rate is recorded as 42.54 per 1,000 people.

The crime rate in Milwaukee is higher than the national average. The crimes with higher contributions include robbery, mugging, car theft, assault, vandalism, and drug dealing. The safety is moderate during the day, while at night, it's extremely low.

Crime Rate In Milwaukee

Violent Crime

Milwaukee has a very high violent crime rate, which is 14.61. It's more than three times the national average. The violent crime rate is a combined effect of its subtypes, which include assault (mostly involving weapons), homicide (killing), robbery, and rape cases. Assault and robbery cases are more common than others.

Property Crime

The property crime rate in Milwaukee is 27.93, which is also higher than the national average. It includes theft, motor vehicle theft, and burglary. The most common is theft, then, it is motor vehicle theft in the region.

Is Downtown Milwaukee Safe?

Downtown Milwaukee is safe with well-lit streets and regular pedestrian traffic. Due to the busy streets in the daylight, almost no crimes have been recorded. However, you must take care of your pockets from theft due to the crowded area. It is also safe for visitors even at night due to frequent events and concerts.

It has CCTVs mounted in areas to ensure safety. It also has high security in some market areas. Moreover, it is quite safe to walk at night, but you must avoid the areas with bars because of alcohol offenses or heated arguments.

5 Safest Neighborhoods in Milwaukee

Northpoint

Northpoint is the safest neighborhood in Milwaukee, with a total crime rate of 14-15 per 1000 people. Violent crime is slightly elevated but under control. It has well-lit streets with a high walkability score where people feel safe at night. There are a few cases reported for property crimes and a few gun-related crimes. It is generally considered safer, but you must be cautious of the surroundings.

Story Hill

Story Hill is the 2nd safest neighborhood in Milwaukee. It has a total crime rate of 15 per 1000 people, which is considered safer. There were no armed robberies and notable crime scenes reported. It is well known for its calmness and strong community. Moreover, there are low levels of theft and burglaries, which shows its safety for the residents and travelers.

Marquette

Marquette is the 3rd safest neighborhood with strong educational cohesion. Mostly, the area remains busy with efficient police patrolling. However, you might face some pick-pocketing and theft-related issues. It has a crime rate of 16-18 per 1000 people, with negligible violent crime cases.

It has elevated drug-related cases, which raises its overall crime rate, but it is considered safe. There are high surveillance cameras for campus safety, but you must avoid walking at night and on dark pathways.

Jackson Park

Jackson Park has a low violent crime rate on the south end. It has quiet streets with no disturbance, but it is recommended to stay alert at night. The area is upgrading to provide well-lit streets to reduce the crime rate further. Currently, it has a total crime rate of 24-26, including violent and property crimes. The community is stronger and popular among working-class families.

Washington Heights

Washing Heights has some doubts about its safety due to the negligence of police agencies. It has an overall crime rate of 29-30, but the residents remain active due to its historic charm. It has historic homes and antique shops for the public. Still, the redevelopment of this city is underway, and also shooting cases were reported. Residents have also reported minor theft, car break-ins, and drug-related issues in multiple areas.

Dangerous Parts Of Milwaukee To Avoid

Some parts of Milwaukee are dangerous, and people must avoid them. It has higher crime rates in the north and south sides, with shooting cases reported. The city has intense gang activities, carjackings, and frequent firearms usage. The parts that you must avoid are:

• Metcalfe Park
• Franklin Heights
• Lindsay Heights
• Sharman Park
• Concordia
• Washington Park

Safety Tips To Stay In Milwaukee

Milwaukee has elevated crime rates, which is a serious concern for your safety. You must secure your cars with anti-theft locks and avoid taking your wallets and phones at night. Must know your surrounding areas with high crime rates to avoid. Talk to your neighbors and build a healthy relationship.

Walk in groups at night and avoid the dark and unusual areas. Use public transport and avoid empty buses. Always save or remember emergency numbers like 911, and call the police if you find anything fishy. You can also share your live location with your family and friends when you go outside at night.

For home safety, install Reolink Altas. It's an incredible 2K security camera with smart detection, night vision, long battery life, and other excellent features. Illuminate your house with lights and install alarms to deter crimes.

FAQs

1. Is Milwaukee safe for tourists?

It might be dangerous for tourists if they choose a place with a higher crime rate. Tourists must use the official website for crime mapping and choose the safest one.

2. How dangerous is Milwaukee?

According to the stats, Milwaukee has a crime rate index of 66.76, which is higher than the national average. It also has some areas with a low crime rate and better police actions.

Conclusion

Milwaukee is neither completely safe nor extremely dangerous. It has a mix of different areas. We have shared the crime statistics to better understand the places and areas to avoid. You also need to ensure your own safety. Consider the safety measures we have discussed to deter crimes.