[CrissCT]

We are considering relocating to Berlin, but the crime statistics for 2006 show 6 murders. Can anyone explain? Is Berlin a high crime area? Thanks!

[skytrekker]

Berlin is not known to be a high crime town. As you obviously saw at City Data, crime reached an all time high of 190- compared to a national average of 299. The previous year was 122. There where no reported murders the previous years- I have no idea how and what the circumstances of those murders where.

Information might be available at the Berlin Police department, or the state of Connecticut department of public safety.

[wanderintonc]

Berlin is VERY safe. It is a really quiet little town. Not much of anything goes on there, I know folks who live there who do not lock their doors (never smart, but then, they've never had a problem).

The murders were probably at the flop motels on the Berlin Turnpike. That's way on the edge of town.

[glxyman21]

Berlin is relatively safe, most murders that do occur are quite rare, especially for the suburbs. They're usually targeted crimes. The town has the Berlin Turnpike which is a main state road as well as a shopping meca, so lot of people travel through the town and this is where the majority of crimes take place.

[JayCT]

There were six murders in Berlin??? I don't remember reading about any of them. That goes to show you how people perceive a town when they question with surprise that this really happened (I am not questioning what you say but am surprised by it). Berlin is a nice small town in central Connecticut. It is not known for being unsafe. The main issues are typical small town things like burglaries and domestic disputes. There are a few shady motels and bars along the Berlin Turnpike that also can have issues but even these are pretty few now. It is a nice town and I would not think twice about moving there. Jay

[CrissCT]

I was surprised by it too since it doesn't fit with what I've read on this forum about Berlin and previous years statistics. I thought someone more familiar with the area might have better insight - maybe it was something domestic? We currently live on the West Coast so doing a lot of research online. A google search didn't produce any news articles on it either. Thanks to everyone who has responded.

[henderson2245]

Berlin CT seems like a good small town and its not bad in comparison to others. The people here however, like to put their noses up and blinders on in the mornings. There is a lot of cocaine in the school systems and amongst the adult community too. Perhaps that is because of the money. One example is the major drug house on Fairview that was raided a couple years ago. The crime that does occur here isnt major but is often kept on the down low to keep the town looking good.

[Connecticut Pam]

Berlin CT crime ridden..NOT. I worked in Berlin for 13 years and loved the area. I don't recall hearing anything about killings let alone 6 of them in that area. Heck it could have been the Berlin turnpike they were talking about. This is technically called Route 5 but by locals it is called the Berlin Turnpike. There use to be a lot of seedy hotels along this route but they are starting to clean things up a bit. As for a residential area in Berlin you could not possibly go wrong. The turnpike is not all that close to where you would maybe be looking for housing.

You don't say if you have taken a ride through this area or not. If you do, check out Percival Road and also the Chamberlain Highway area of Berlin...both nice areas. Also Kensington is very close to Berlin...side by side as a matter of fact and VERY country.

Don't go by those stats you read as I do have a feeling they are referring to the Berlin Turnpke/Route 5 are.

[CrissCT]

I asked this question about a year and a half ago before we moved to CT. We were still in CA at the time so I had no idea, just saw the crime stats. I think I eventually found out the the "murder" statistics were actually a traffic accident in which the driver was found negligent. We did not end up in Berlin, but that is where my husband works and yes, it is a nice, safe area.

[watchoverme]

I live in Berlin, definitely a safe little town. Although, I would suggest you look at Southington too. A bit less "urban" (not that Berlin is urban, but it's a little 1980's strip mally and Southington is a bit more rural).