[milka-milka]

My husband and i have been looking into moving to hot springs area with our 3 yr old daughter. It looks so beautiful but the crime-esp. Theft and assault-is so high. I have read many entries in this forum and it hasn't been much of a topic. I'd like to hear the true story from people who live there. Is it a safe place to raise a little girl? we wouldn't be able to live in a posh house but a very modest one. Are homes being broken into? are things being stolen from yards and cars, are people beaten up and robbed? is it mainly tourists that are targeted or is it everyone? who is commiting all of these crimes? what is really going on? thanks!

[Dr. Foosball]

If you can afford around $700 a month, you can get into a decent (safe) neighborhood. I have two daughters under five years old and I feel completely safe living in Hot Springs.

Obviously, don't go take a downtown walk alone at two in the morning. That is how a person becomes a statistic.

My assumption is that the crime must not be random - but directed towards others who are causing problems. I have never seen anything even remotely dangerous in Hot Springs. You will see people who look like they could be poor walking down certain streets (I had one ask me for a dollar once - not uncommon in any city of decent size) and there are neighborhoods in which I would not want to live. But you will also see a lot of police cars patrolling the busy areas.

I am actually amazed by how some people say that Hot Springs is a dangerous place. It seems just like any other city I have lived in - just a lot more tourists here.

[ArkansasSlim]

I agree with everything Dr Foosball wrote. I do not live in H.S. but work there from time-to-time and have personally seen only two cases of crime. I have a foolish friend who never locks her car and leaves the keys in it, anytime, so one day someone drove it away from her office and took a joy ride and another time they stole things from it while parked at her house. When faced with those factors even a normally honest person may take advantage of that situation. I have driven over much of the town day and night and have never felt threatened. Having written that, I will also write there are parts of town I will not go into, but every town large and small also has those areas. I, personally, would not hesitate to move to H.S. if circumstances required it.

[marmac]

I don't live there ( only visited)

Hot Springs was featured in a retirement magazine a few years back. The crime rate was discussed.

It was stated most crime was done by one group of people against that same group of people.
( I think that was a polite way to enter race into the conclusion)

Also, they did say crime gets higher during the horse racing season.

Dr Foosball lives there, so I would say his advice/observation carries some weight as he usually " tells it like it is "........(IMHO )

[JeffAtkins]

I live outside of Hot Springs in Hot Springs Village. I don't ever feel uncomfortable while I'm in Hot Springs, but I wouldn't walk the streets at night. A few years ago I found some statistics where Hot Spirngs Village crime index was "24", Arkansas was "95", with the United States as a baseline of "100". Wish I had looked up Hot Springs.

[marmac]

city data lists the crime index for Hot Springs at ----------792.8
city data has the average crime index rate of the US at-----320.9


Pine Bluff------------------------------------------------1021.1

[buzzpost]

Originally Posted by marmac

city data lists the crime index for Hot Springs at ----------792.8
city data has the average crime index rate of the US at-----320.9


Pine Bluff------------------------------------------------1021.1

SIXTEEN MURDERS in a city of 55,000 (Pine Bluff)? That is just horrible. What are the reasons for this? And Hot Springs with a crime index of 792? That is a real shame; Hot Springs is one of the most beautiful cities in the country, IMO.

[Mario101]

How has it been for you so far? Did you move?