Sumter (crime rate, house, unemployment)

[dogcrazy]

Hi ive read a few posts that said Sumter was very bad with crime.How bad are we talking about?Someone please respond.We are going to look at a home down there in a few weeks.

[lovethecarolinas]

Originally Posted by dogcrazy

Hi ive read a few posts that said Sumter was very bad with crime.How bad are we talking about?Someone please respond.We are going to look at a home down there in a few weeks.

I am not familiar with the area...and I'm only responding to this since no one else has. I know you make mention that you've read a couple of posts...but I did a search on Sumter (show posts only) and it came back with 34 different posts...I then narrowed it down even more and put in a search for Sumter Crime and it came back with 8 posts (by chance...have you read through these...it's possible the info you are looking for is already there?)

[scjj]

All I know about Sumter is what I have heard and what I have read on the internet. I have never been there, so I don't want to make a inaccurate comment about it. Go to the city-data info: http://www.city-data.com/city/Sumter...-Carolina.html to take a look at the crime stats.

[anonymous]

dogcrazy,
I can tell you just about anything you want to know about Sumter.

But I've refrained from answering your question, because I just don't know what exactly you're asking. The severity of crime just depends on what you're used to. I don't know where you're from, or what you consider high crime. If you want my opinion - the crime is bad in the ghetto. If you're in a nice neighborhood, the crime isn't bad. The statistics only reflect the quantity of bad areas in relation to the quantity of good areas. Basically, if you're white, don't live in a black neighborhood. If you're black, don't move to Sumter. If you're another ethnicity, it's pot luck based on any number of factors. I hate to break it down like that, but Sumter is that sort of town - as is any town that's in the inland coastal plain.

I could start copy-and-pasting statistics, but you can look up crime stats on this website, on your own time. Otherwise, I'm definitely willing to help you out.

[TornadoAlley]

Originally Posted by dogcrazy

Hi ive read a few posts that said Sumter was very bad with crime.How bad are we talking about?Someone please respond.We are going to look at a home down there in a few weeks.

Crime is a 7&6 (10 is top) there. Not good.

[dogcrazy]

Im from Long Island.The crime is pretty bad here.Murders,rapes,stuff like that.All the time.But from what you guys are telling me Sumter seems like the same thing here.And this is what we want to get away from.A girl can't even walk down the street alone without people harrassing and trying to pick her up.Thanks for the info

[anonymous]

Just for kicks, I typed in "Long Island" in Wikipedia. Two good quotes:

According to the FBI's Crime Index, Long Island (Nassau-Suffolk) has the second lowest crime rate in the United States.

In 2005, Forbes magazine listed Long Island as having 2,042 crimes per 100,000 residents; the lowest crime rate and less than half the US average.

I typed in Sumter, SC, and saw this quote:

"Based on statistics reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Sumter was ranked the nation's most dangerous metropolitan area in 2004.[1]. "Most dangerous metropolitan area" is based on crime statistics in six categories: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and auto theft."

so I would definitely say that if crime is important, you'd be much better off in Long Island.

[mamajd]

Hello, I have been doing some searchin on the internet to determine how safe is sumter, south carolina. We are thinking about relocating. Right now we live in a city that is rapidly growing. I have family down in sumter that states just is long as you dont go in the "ghetto" you are fine. I guess my question is if you live in a decent neighborhood do they really bother you or are you a target. If I accenditally take the wrong turn with my children in the car are we done for or is there normally a reason to the madness. I'm ready for a change, my husband has a job offer, but I am petrified that we might make the wrong decision based on what I have been reading. Could someone please give me some advice, please!?!

[anonymous]

Originally Posted by mamajd

Hello, I have been doing some searchin on the internet to determine how safe is sumter, south carolina. We are thinking about relocating. Right now we live in a city that is rapidly growing. I have family down in sumter that states just is long as you dont go in the "ghetto" you are fine. I guess my question is if you live in a decent neighborhood do they really bother you or are you a target. If I accenditally take the wrong turn with my children in the car are we done for or is there normally a reason to the madness. I'm ready for a change, my husband has a job offer, but I am petrified that we might make the wrong decision based on what I have been reading. Could someone please give me some advice, please!?!

Even in the high-crime areas we're talking about, you aren't going to be in imminent danger just by driving through in broad daylight. The vast majority of crime happens in certain areas, between 11pm and 3am. So unless you're cruising around south Sumter looking for crack cocaine at 1am, you'll be reasonably safe. The only people I knew who've been robbed or murdered were basically looking for trouble.

Also, part of what makes Sumter's crime stats so high is the astronomical rate of assault. I don't know if it is domestic abuse, gang fights, or what - but property crimes/burglary are only slightly above average.

[sgfludd]

Sumter is fine - as long as you stay off the South side - where drug use, unemployment run rampant. I'd argue that 90% of the crime in Sumter happens in a very small portion of the city. It is after all the home of Shaw AFB which is expanding to include thousands of soldiers from Ft McPherson - which is closing in Georgia. I lived there for 2 years, worked at the local paper The Item - South Carolina didn't have a single problem. They are revitalizing the downtown area, they have a summer concert series - they have a very active arts scene - Sumter Little Theatre, Patriot Hall, Sumter Opera House - great hospitals. Since they hit 100k residents about 10 years ago - they are getting more national chains like IHOP, Applebees, etc. But there are lots of great local places too. Oh yeah - Swan Lake - beautiful city park with 8 or 9 species of swans - it is the jewel of the city.