Is the crime in Delray Beach Really that bad? (Boca Raton: insurance, broker)

[Leibowitz]

Originally Posted by DelrayNative

When compared to other cities of our size, YES, the crime rate is much higher. I have lived here more than 50 years, being born and raised here, and I have seen many of the changes that have caused this. I attribute it to two primary factors - 1, is that our two main population demographics are poverty level households of Haitian Immigrants and Upper Middle Class to somewhat modestly wealthy Northeastern retirees that the average age is 79. These two demographics account for over 76% of our year round population and cause a much higher level of burglary, theft, forgery and other general blue collar type crimes. The elderly can become easy victims in this type of environment if they aren't very careful. Even if the elderly ARE very aware and cautious, most crooks have honed their skills over a period of time and even the most knowledgeable and cautious person can easily become a victim here. The other main factor is that Delray Beach (per The NY Times in 2007, currently on Wikipedia and MANY other publications and articles) consider Delray Beach to be the "Rehab Capital of the Country". We have more detox centers, Halfway Houses, Sober Houses and Rehab centers than 99.9% than the rest of the country. In 2007, Delray Beach tried to make it illegal to have sober living, Rehab, or Detox Centers here, but only PART of the law passed and it only restricted the occupancy size of the centers. So instead of having 1 center or site it actually encouraged some places to open multiple centers or homes in order to handle the same occupancy count. We are still considered to have the highest number of Rehab Centers, Halfway Houses etc than almost any place else in the country. Many of the occupants of these programs work in our many restaurants, Coffee houses, grocery and other retail stores. Although, the majority of these people are here to better their lives, they are not all successful and it causes us to have a higher level of drug culture than is usual for a city of our size. Keep in mind, I am not comparing our crime to that of a city of the size of Atlanta, Miami or Detroit. We are a relatively small town, with our population being between 60 - 80K depending upon the resource. But comparatively speaking, for a city of our size, our crime is much higher. Although they are not violent crimes for the most part, our crime is generally speaking much higher.

I totally agree. Please read The Coastal Star regarding the amount of sober homes in this small city. Downtown has fun restaurants, but a lot of drugs and sober homes surround that area. They recently closed a Starbucks patio because too many rehabbers hanging there on Atlantic Ave. Delray is the drug rehab capital of the world. I just don't feel safe anywhere in Delray. Read that article posted Dec 2015.

[900rr]

Originally Posted by DelrayNative

We have more detox centers, Halfway Houses, Sober Houses and Rehab centers than 99.9% than the rest of the country.

This is a major issue !

[newtovenice]

Originally Posted by Leibowitz

I totally agree. Please read The Coastal Star regarding the amount of sober homes in this small city. Downtown has fun restaurants, but a lot of drugs and sober homes surround that area. They recently closed a Starbucks patio because too many rehabbers hanging there on Atlantic Ave. Delray is the drug rehab capital of the world. I just don't feel safe anywhere in Delray. Read that article posted Dec 2015.

Which patio? The one by the office or the antique mall?

I watched the revitalization of Delray over the years. Frankly I preferred it before. Now it's just like everywhere else. Crowded, overpriced and full of tourists. No character.

[ByeByeLW]

Originally Posted by newtovenice

Which patio? The one by the office or the antique mall?

I watched the revitalization of Delray over the years. Frankly I preferred it before. Now it's just like everywhere else. Crowded, overpriced and full of tourists. No character.

I agree! I loved the old Florida beach town we had.

[newtovenice]

Originally Posted by ByeByeLW

I agree! I loved the old Florida beach town we had.

I went into one of the boutique stores on Atlantic about 3 years ago. It had a pair of costume jewelry earrings for $150.

I had seen the exact same pair at Marshalls for $12. That was probably my last time in Delray. Pretty much summed it up.

[Balkins]

Delray is indeed a paradox of haves and have nots. East of Swinton, north of Atlantic; beautiful homes, lovely yards, historic district, nice bars,restaurants; a palm beach version of las olas. However, veer one or two blocks off in either direction, you will find run down homes, nefarious looking characters, guys hanging outside homes, staring you down. Yep.

BUT, thats the a VERY TYPICAL scene in Palm Beach County....PERIOD. Palm Beach county is a paradox of haves and have nots. SCARY.

Delray, is a drug rehad haven, no question. Sober houses, drug rehab centers are everywhere. AND, where-ever there are sober-houses, there are DRUG DEALERS. Drug Dealers pitch their tents where the drug users are----simple math. BUT AGAIN, Palm beach county in general is fast becoming like Delray too.

[ByeByeLW]

I think I read that the Miami-West Palm metro area is 7th in economic disparity in the entire country.

The state as a whole is anywhere from 3rd to 5th depending on what source you read.

[Leibowitz]

Starbucks's patio closed on 5th. Coastal Star newspaper stated that Delray has over 850 sober homes and over 1000 rehab centers. Majority of the rehabbers work in the restaurants on Atlantic Avenue or in the fitness centers. Go online and research.

[Balkins]

Originally Posted by Leibowitz

Starbucks's patio closed on 5th. Coastal Star newspaper stated that Delray has over 850 sober homes and over 1000 rehab centers. Majority of the rehabbers work in the restaurants on Atlantic Avenue or in the fitness centers. Go online and research.

800+ sober houses...i believe.

1000 rehab centers????---->what's a rehab center?

[Leibowitz]

Delray has over 850 sober homes, halfway houses, flop houses, or 3/4 houses and over 1200 rehab centers. Read the Coastal Star on bad actors sober homes. Most are run poorly with more drugs found in these places than on the streets. Read Buzzfeed on sober home pee scams. Read about the heroin problem in Delray. Problem streets in Delray are Federal Highway, Atlantic Ave, Linton Rd, Lake Ida Rd, and Congress Ave.
Sober homes are everywhere. Many off Atlantic Ave. Rehabbers work in all the restaurants on Atlantic Ave where the cool restaurants are located.