Areas to avoid in Baltimore

[ToneGrail]

Originally Posted by Tom Lennox 70

It will be best not to cross west of MLK Boulevard to West Baltimore. East Baltimore is also very bad, not sure exactly what street but I would avoid the areas around Patterson Park and definitely the areas north and east of Patterson Park. A sign is to avoid anywhere you see one of those flashing police lights at night. They are supposed to signify cameras at intersections installed to cut down on criminal activity but they are no longer monitored, I think because the funding ran out.

Stick to downtown, Fed Hill, Fells Point, Canton, Ridgely's, and Mt. Vernon to be safe and never walk alone at night unless you carry a gun. Walk in groups or take a taxi. My friend was mugged last week in front of the VA hospital.

North of Patterson Park is fine for exactly 2 blocks. Once you hit Fayette Street, you're in some deep **** though. That's where the blue light cameras start and coincidentally, where the bad neighborhood starts. My band practices just south of Fayette and let me say that crossing that street is like day and night. South of Fayette (Patterson Park Neighborhood) you get rejuvinated rowhomes inhabited by yuppies. North of it (McElderry Park) you get boarded up crackhouses and gangs/drug dealers. The demographic and racial makeup changes suddenly once you cross Fayette.

[Be More]

Originally Posted by ToneGrail

North of Patterson Park is fine for exactly 2 blocks. Once you hit Fayette Street, you're in some deep **** though. That's where the blue light cameras start and coincidentally, where the bad neighborhood starts. My band practices just south of Fayette and let me say that crossing that street is like day and night. South of Fayette (Patterson Park Neighborhood) you get rejuvinated rowhomes inhabited by yuppies. North of it (McElderry Park) you get boarded up crackhouses and gangs/drug dealers. The demographic and racial makeup changes suddenly once you cross Fayette.

Hmmm...I live west of MLK and work north of the Park. Not sure how I have made it this long.

One of the prettiest blocks in the whole city is Lakewood Ave...one and two blocks north of the Park.

[Woodlands]

Anyplace that is dominated with establishments that end with the words:"Joint" "Place" "Lounge" "Spot"... Just kidding.. I have been to some interesting corner establishments that are "pick a name" Place... What interesting about Bmore is many of the liquor stores have bars in the back of them.. I went to a couple (accompanied by a regular) where you could buy your poison up front, get buzzed into the back to nurse it. Going in was a little unnerving at first.. you step into a dark windowless area with all kind of characters hunched over their brew...pay no attention to the smoking ban.. aint being enforced in here. It was like stepping into a Shaft movie (not Sam Jackson but the original circa 1970s..shag carpeting disco ball.. Kool cigs, posters of men with afros and long hair posing for cigarette ads for an era long gone) After a couple a drinks.. we were all like family. Generally.. you dont have problems in these places... BUT WHEN YOU LEAVE.. that could be a whole another story..a trick of the trade.. get there early, park close, and leave early depending on the neighborhood..once outside on the sidewalk.. forget about the last pull on the cigarette or a few last minute goodbys (do all that on the inside) walk a b-line to your ride and roll ( but dont forget your Kools). Interesting experience...one that I would not want to re live week after week.. but interesting none the less.

[rudy_d]

Hilarious, Woodlands. A lot of those liquor stores are supposed to primarily be bars and have to maintain them in order to have a 7-day liquor license. One of my favorites is Jerry's Belvedere on the corner of Northern Parkway and York Road. The bar's pretty respectable compared to some of the many places like you're talking about. It's fun to sip a drink and watch a steady flow of customers in the adjoining liquor store, which seems to make up the majority of the business.

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by rudy_d

Hilarious, Woodlands. A lot of those liquor stores are supposed to primarily be bars and have to maintain them in order to have a 7-day liquor license. One of my favorites is Jerry's Belvedere on the corner of Northern Parkway and York Road. The bar's pretty respectable compared to some of the many places like you're talking about. It's fun to sip a drink and watch a steady flow of customers in the adjoining liquor store, which seems to make up the majority of the business.

I've seen that place.. I need to stop by one evening and check it out.. that intersection has always appealed to me.. I hope that something can be done in the Senator Theater.. that certainly can continue to be an asset for that area....


Some of these less traveled neighborhood places are neighborhood watering holes that have served these neighborhoods for years...the problem with some of them (save those that are owned by corrupt owners using them as fronts for stash houses or backroom drug sales) when the neighborhoods take a turn for the worst they become ideal locations for crime. I have heard from several owners who try to keep the riff raff out from in or in front of their establishments. Many even stand on the stoop to watch/walk their regulars to their car or around the corner... what often happens is the areas outside of these places end up being havens for drug dealers, punks, and muggers etc... who end up preying on the patrons going in and out of some of these places...Then throw in the violence of the drug trade and someone does a drive by through the intersection shooting at rivals without regard for who they hit or terrorize.. We see the scene play out on the evening news with yellow tape ,flashing police lights, and officers milling about with "pick a name" Place brazenly showing in the background during the 30 second news spot. Dont get me wrong..some of these places are the source of these crimes.. others are simply trying to run a business and are being impacted by broader criminal and social issues that bother all law abiding citizens.

[ToneGrail]

Originally Posted by Be More

Hmmm...I live west of MLK and work north of the Park. Not sure how I have made it this long.

One of the prettiest blocks in the whole city is Lakewood Ave...one and two blocks north of the Park.

Yes, but you're still within 2 blocks of the park. More than 2 blocks north of the park then you're definitely in the "hood".