Is it safe to jog/walk around Lake Merriett in Oakland, CA (apartments, crime)

[chinamen]

I have been jogging/walking around Lake Merriett for a week. Was wondering, any bad things happen to you while you were at the lake? I try to avoid that place like a plaque at night time and only jog/walk around the lake when there is day light.

[Nineties Flava]

At night there's a decent chance you could get mugged, and there's sometimes break ins in the apartments around the lake. I wouldn't be walking around the lake at night, especially in the residential sections. It's not too much of an issue though since it doesn't get dark until around 8:30 these days, and the area's fine if you have a car.

[llowllevellowll]

I've walked around it at night a few times and never saw anything but friendly people - a homeless person or two? Sure. But never had a problem thus far.

I'd assume it's just like any other place in most places in the USA at night - know your surroundings, keep an eye on those you are suspicious of, and don't leave yourself vulnerable.

[Nineties Flava]

Originally Posted by Parti Rhinocéros

I've walked around it at night a few times and never saw anything but friendly people - a homeless person or two? Sure. But never had a problem thus far.

I'd assume it's just like any other place in most places in the USA at night - know your surroundings, keep an eye on those you are suspicious of, and don't leave yourself vulnerable.

The lake is pretty well known for muggings, and I know people who've either been mugged or had their lakeside apartment broken into.

[lmk1707]

Originally Posted by chinamen

I have been jogging/walking around Lake Merriett for a week. Was wondering, any bad things happen to you while you were at the lake? I try to avoid that place like a plaque at night time and only jog/walk around the lake when there is day light.

I'm a little surprised that you're a long-time Oakland resident but aren't familiar with this area. Are you wondering if it's safe to jog during the day? I'm sure you noticed there are tons of people jogging/walking the lake until maybe 9pm, including females jogging alone and people with children, it's extremely unlikely something "bad" will happen to you in the day, unless you slip and fall in goose poo.

At night, there have been a couple muggings in the last couple months, not on the Lake but near MacArthur. People targeted were getting out of their cars or talking on the phone/holding groceries. I live here, I'm a single female, and I am comfortable with walking around the Lake, and from my neighborhood to downtown, alone and sometimes at night. It really depends on your comfort level. If you're afraid, then don't do it.

[ZhugeLiang]

Originally Posted by chinamen

I have been jogging/walking around Lake Merriett for a week. Was wondering, any bad things happen to you while you were at the lake? I try to avoid that place like a plaque at night time and only jog/walk around the lake when there is day light.

Where's Lake Merriett? Is that related at all to Lake Merritt?

You should definitely avoid it like a "plaque." Plaques require frequent dusting and polishing for them to retain their shine. Plaque on your teeth will make them look more yellow, which isn't at all attractive.

**AHEM**

As for Lake Merritt, I actually do walk it at night. The worst thing I ever encountered was a couple smoking pot, that's all. Frankly, I feel safer at Lake Merritt or at 20th and Broadway at 10pm than I do at 16th and Mission in SF.

[Mr. Fantastic]

Just check the crime map. There have been 12 robberies at gunpoint in the past 60 days near the area. nearly all of them occurring during the evening.

Oakland is crime infested, nothing new.

[chinamen]

Originally Posted by lmk1707

I'm a little surprised that you're a long-time Oakland resident but aren't familiar with this area. Are you wondering if it's safe to jog during the day? I'm sure you noticed there are tons of people jogging/walking the lake until maybe 9pm, including females jogging alone and people with children, it's extremely unlikely something "bad" will happen to you in the day, unless you slip and fall in goose poo.

At night, there have been a couple muggings in the last couple months, not on the Lake but near MacArthur. People targeted were getting out of their cars or talking on the phone/holding groceries. I live here, I'm a single female, and I am comfortable with walking around the Lake, and from my neighborhood to downtown, alone and sometimes at night. It really depends on your comfort level. If you're afraid, then don't do it.

Yea, I am a long time Oakland resident. But like there were days when I walked/jogged around the lake and I felt uncomfortable. Sometimes you get to the areas, like where the bird place is at in the lake and there are no joggers in sight and I felt alone. Then sometimes, I have to cross paths with people who I felt that I did not trust. So yea, I think people are afraid like me. Was wondering if other people felt the same or not. But yea, there are a lot of people jogging around the lake. I know that.

[lmk1707]

Originally Posted by chinamen

Yea, I am a long time Oakland resident. But like there were days when I walked/jogged around the lake and I felt uncomfortable. Sometimes you get to the areas, like where the bird place is at in the lake and there are no joggers in sight and I felt alone. Then sometimes, I have to cross paths with people who I felt that I did not trust. So yea, I think people are afraid like me. Was wondering if other people felt the same or not. But yea, there are a lot of people jogging around the lake. I know that.

Well, there are other jogging places - you shouldn't go somewhere that makes you feel uncomfortable, regardless of how others feel about the same area.

[SickOfCalifornia]

Pepper spray is cheap, easy to carry while jogging, and incredibly effective.