Whats up with the CRIME??! (Columbia, St. Andrews: homes, safe area, school districts)

[sgfludd]

I really don't understand the stats here - all I can say is if Los Angeles, CA - gang murder capital of the world is ranked better than ANYWHERE in South Carolina - then these stats are WAY off.
The best I can figure is its based on population - so it's not comparing apples to apples. For example - Florence, SC has LESS than 100k people (or not very many more) so if you're using the same equation - judged against fewer than 100k people - then your stat is going to be artificially inflated. Conversely - a city like LA with millions of people - the stats are going to look like they're safer - when in actuality - there is way more crime - there are just WAY more people.
You come to this forum - and ask for info - and the people who live there - or used to live there tell you their experience - I think that should weigh more than some algorithm some nerd dreamed up. Not saying you shouldn't do your due diligence - you just need to come see for yourself. Visit the cities, go by the police department and ask them. Read the online versions of the local papers. We have no reason to misrepresent SC - we love it. And quite frankly - the more new people we keep out - the longer we live without the issues of big cities like traffic and pollution. So why would we sell this bill of goods if the entire state is unsafe?

[sneako]

SG,

I don't think anyone is questioning the residents of SC. It is as you say a matter of due dilligence. Like I said in an earlier post, I live in Farmington Hills, MI (very Safe-I leave my garage wide open everyday and some nights-it is filled with thousands of dollars of musical equipment) and have NEVER had a problem. That being said, when I travel I tell people I am near Detroit, they almost always say things related to violence, I.E. are you in a gang?, you must be tough, how crazy is it there? FROM THE MURDER CAPITAL EH?etc.

The point being, that over time repeated statistics become embedded in people's perceptions.

You are right BEING THERE gives you the most reliable info.

I just have to visit.

Thanks again

Ant

[sgfludd]

You'll love it - we promise!

[dlwdolly]

Originally Posted by sneako

SG,

I don't think anyone is questioning the residents of SC. It is as you say a matter of due dilligence. Like I said in an earlier post, I live in Farmington Hills, MI (very Safe-I leave my garage wide open everyday and some nights-it is filled with thousands of dollars of musical equipment) and have NEVER had a problem. That being said, when I travel I tell people I am near Detroit, they almost always say things related to violence, I.E. are you in a gang?, you must be tough, how crazy is it there? FROM THE MURDER CAPITAL EH?etc.

The point being, that over time repeated statistics become embedded in people's perceptions.

You are right BEING THERE gives you the most reliable info.

I just have to visit.

Thanks again

Ant

Thank you! See I am not crazy, every site I check has horrible statistics for SC. I live in NJ and my town has a crime percentage of 4 (FOUR)! I couldnt believe it when I saw 150 in SC! And YES it is in all the areas not just one town which I dont understand. We have visited and it seems like such a safe place. I have 2 small kids, they are who I am worried about. BTW, the taxes and cost of living are reduculas here thay is why we want out. But I dont want to go to a place that I will have to look over my shoulder either.

[Akhenaton06]

I guess we just need to resort to witholding some of our crime data like other states do. It will help keep people from being hysterical about the crime here. In all my 27 years of living in SC, I have never been a victim of a crime, thank God. Unless you count my clothes being stolen out of the dryer in my apartment complex on Halloween night a few years back. I'm glad they were only whites (underwear, socks, t-shirts, etc.).

[dlwdolly]

Originally Posted by Akhenaton06

I guess we just need to resort to witholding some of our crime data like other states do. It will help keep people from being hysterical about the crime here. In all my 27 years of living in SC, I have never been a victim of a crime, thank God. Unless you count my clothes being stolen out of the dryer in my apartment complex on Halloween night a few years back. I'm glad they were only whites (underwear, socks, t-shirts, etc.).

Hysterical? I guess you choose to ignore the alarming crime stats in the WHOLE state of SC? One city, 2 cites ok I can see that, but every city in SC? Something is very wrong there and what is most alarming is that the native SC people find it funny?!

[sandlapper]

It's funny because it's not as violent as the scare tactics (stastistics) would have you believe, and being natives living there for much ou our lives we know first hand how safe the area is. I don't think you'll ever be a victim of a drive by shooting, you won't get mugged walking your dog in your neighborhood. Like most American cities there are parts of town that can be a little rough but as long as you are not looking for anything there chances are you won't end up a victim. There's just not a whole lot else to say. It's SC not a third world country overun by warlords. Again before you jump ship visit the area and see for yourself that would be the best thing to do in my opinion. Trust us the sky isn't falling down here.

[sgfludd]

Another point - if SC were actually as atrocious as these bogus stats would have you believe - don't you think we'd be in the headlines and on the national nightly news at some point? Let's see - I remember DC, New Orleans and New York - all being profiled as crime capitals of the country in past years - but never SC. The media would be all over something like this if it were true. I can picture the headline now "Southern Hospitality Gone Amuck?" We would be on the cover of every major news magazine. Did you look at the crime blog I posted earlier? How can you not laugh when the crime of the night is someone finding a TOOTH in his yard? Come on - that is some funny Mayberryish stuff. I saw more crime in my first month in Los Angeles - than I did in my entire 30 years in SC.

[Akhenaton06]

Originally Posted by dlwdolly

Hysterical? I guess you choose to ignore the alarming crime stats in the WHOLE state of SC? One city, 2 cites ok I can see that, but every city in SC? Something is very wrong there and what is most alarming is that the native SC people find it funny?!

I explained the reason for that earlier in this thread, but if you choose to ignore that and continue in your hysterics, then so be it.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by dlwdolly

Hysterical? I guess you choose to ignore the alarming crime stats in the WHOLE state of SC? One city, 2 cites ok I can see that, but every city in SC? Something is very wrong there and what is most alarming is that the native SC people find it funny?!

Dolly, I think you should lsiten more to the people that live here than the stats. Statistics based on voluntary reporting standards should be taken with a grain of salt. There are some neighborhoods that are dangerous, but for the most part, South Carolina is a safe place. I live in the inner city and, other than a couple of windows broken by some kids in the neighborhood, I haven't had any problems in the last 15 years. I was really ticked off about the windows - don't get me wrong - but I don't feel endangered in any way.