Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Hey guys! I'm hoping some locals can help clear this up. I'm from the south...I've pretty much lived here all my life, and have always heard about how bad the crime is in Charleston. Its reputation is a great historic city, beautiful, great food scene, but tons of crime.
I'm looking into the area now, because some family members are going to be moving to Savannah (definitely high crime), and I really want to be close to them. I've been pretty set on North Carolina, but would love to be closer.
This led me to look into the crime stats and rates in Charleston, and they are surprisingly lower than I expected.
So what's with the reputation? It looks like the crime has dropped substantially in the last couple of years, is this true? It's so extreme, it's almost like there covering it up!
More police officers patrolling Charleston (especially the once bad areas)
More community members reporting things (drugs. Violence)
SLED has shut down so many drug dealers
More middle/ upper middle class moving to the area
Crime stats are difficult to interpret without the context of first hand local knowledge. My wife and I have lived in NYC and DC and never felt unsafe, despite the stats. Every urban center has areas, and safety is always a measure of knowing where to be and where not to be, in fact the same can be said of rural areas. Not only that but a 'feeling' of safety is as much a byproduct of reality as it is of perceived reality emanating from the subject. Meaning that a person, depending on their own biases and mindset, can feel fearful in a very safe situation as much as another may be oblivious to the imminent danger around them.
In general terms lack of familiarity breeds fear in humans, that's why a lot of people remain in the misery they know rather than take a chance on the unknown. For what it is worth, and hoping I don't jinx us, mrs soulsea and I feel extremely safe in the Charleston area. So safe it's scary sometimes.
Hey guys! I'm hoping some locals can help clear this up. I'm from the south...I've pretty much lived here all my life, and have always heard about how bad the crime is in Charleston. Its reputation is a great historic city, beautiful, great food scene, but tons of crime.
I'm looking into the area now, because some family members are going to be moving to Savannah (definitely high crime), and I really want to be close to them. I've been pretty set on North Carolina, but would love to be closer.
This led me to look into the crime stats and rates in Charleston, and they are surprisingly lower than I expected.
So what's with the reputation? It looks like the crime has dropped substantially in the last couple of years, is this true? It's so extreme, it's almost like there covering it up!
Safety, and feeling safe is my top priority!
What gives?
In the 35+ years I've lived in Charleston, I've experienced two acts of crime. 1) My mother had her purse taken out of the car at a grocery store one afternoon back in probably 1986. 2) We had a dog stolen from our back yard (or it was possibly let out on purpose) in probably 1992. Other than that, no issues. I've lived on James Island, Ladson, Summerville, West Ashley, and now Mt. Pleasant.
Don't stick your nose into the local criminal activity and chances are you won't ever be affected by it. Now I'm not saying you shouldn't be prepared for it........
I live in a very high crime city now. We're on the "lists". I don't really go out alone with my son after dark, and am very careful all the time. So, I understand not to go wandering through certain parts of town, but I'm also really tired of looking over my shoulder all the time, to be honest!
Is there a bad gang problem in Charleston? I'm looking at the Mt. Pleasant area. Random shootings, armed robberies, etc?
We do have some gang activity in North Charleston in a few pockets, but the N. Charleston police have done a really good job of cleaning it up. You never read of any gang related killing or things like that.
Super safe area as compared to other metro areas around Charleston and other Metros. I'll dig up some stats for ya. I live in Mt. Pleasant and we have hardly any crime, I'm trying to think about the last murder that happened....
Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed
Last edited by Yac; 04-15-2014 at 04:22 AM..
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
