Peoria crime as relevant to strangers (East Peoria: crime rate, hotel, restaurant)

[livonian]

Crime statistics for a city is sometimes clouded by rivalary and fights between the gangs and may or may not be relevant to crimes which affect to strangers.

I recently drove to Peoria prior to joining for work and felt many areas including downtown to be reasonably safe even if I would be walking. Of course, my benchmark is large cities in Michigan. However, Peoria crime statistics tells another story versus what I felt.

Can some body elaborate how risky it is during day time to be in down town with the family for a short distance walk between car park and shops? Also as a new comer, any areas to be avoided altogether ?

[runninfiend]

Pretty much zero risk over any other city. Downtown is incredibly safe during the day and really even very safe in the evenings when there are events downtown. I've never hesitated to walk around downtown Peoria at any time, and have done so hundreds of times without incident.

Most of the crime in Peoria is confined to the south side and various other pockets around the city.

[linicx]

There is no reason a woman and children cannot walk in downtown Peoria during the eay.. You can park on the street as well in a parking garage. Parking during the week M-F is generally difficult due to the courthouse downtown. Events are fine too. Don't walk anywhere after dark unless you are in a lighted shopping area such as a grocer or mall. Not every one has good intentions. You're better off finding a walking track or walking on marked walking trails.

[BUalumni]

I have never felt reasonably unsafe in Downtown Peoria. We frequently go down there to eat and what not, and have never been so much as approached. In all honesty, I have actually felt more unsafe in downtown East Peoria. The city does indeed have a horrible crime rate for it's size. But that is in large part due to the fact that the southside residents are in a constant state of trying to kill each other as fast as possible. Once you get above War Memorial, things start to clear up very quickly, and major crime is very isloated. I have been told to stay away from Northwoods after dark, but that was from some people that consider a car over sixty thousand miles to be a high crime too. With the new museum going in, and the Riverfront continuing its expansion with the new hotel, they are going to make sure that the downtown area is in the best shape it has ever been in.

[runninfiend]

Originally Posted by linicx

There is no reason a woman and children cannot walk in downtown Peoria during the eay.. You can park on the street as well in a parking garage. Parking during the week M-F is generally difficult due to the courthouse downtown. Events are fine too. Don't walk anywhere after dark unless you are in a lighted shopping area such as a grocer or mall. Not every one has good intentions. You're better off finding a walking track or walking on marked walking trails.

I find there to be ample parking downtown during the day. Of course it depends on what of downtown you are in. There is meter parking along the streets and plenty of parking decks. You'll pay for it, most likely, but it's available.

The only reason to be downtown in the evenings is to A. attend an event at the Civic Center B. eat at a restaurant, or C. go to a bar. The thing about it is that at the times you are doing these things, other people are too, and therefore you are reasonably safe.