Is Killeen really as dangerous as statistics show?

[WacoBill]

The Waco TV news channels (KWTX, KXXV, KWKT) continuously report crime coming out of the tri-city area (Temple/Killeen/Belton).

[Stu8912]

I think it's actually worse. Lots of crime that goes unreported. I almost feel safer in the bad parts of Austin then I do the "good" parts of Killeen. They are pretty much equivalent. The town is full of rundown strip malls full of pawn shops, payday loan companies and bars. Granted other cities have those as well. But Killeen is without any real redeeming nice features. It's a transient population and many people just get stuck there. I've met few residents that actually enjoy living there. And those that do I sadly think they are to slow or poorly traveled to realize why most don't like it. It does have incredibly cheap home prices though. And I think that may be the one real draw.

[brock2010]

I can't speak for anyone else but I've never had a problem while down there and I go about twice a year.

[ck77]

Originally Posted by Stu8912

I think it's actually worse. Lots of crime that goes unreported. I almost feel safer in the bad parts of Austin then I do the "good" parts of Killeen. They are pretty much equivalent. The town is full of rundown strip malls full of pawn shops, payday loan companies and bars. Granted other cities have those as well. But Killeen is without any real redeeming nice features. It's a transient population and many people just get stuck there. I've met few residents that actually enjoy living there. And those that do I sadly think they are to slow or poorly traveled to realize why most don't like it. It does have incredibly cheap home prices though. And I think that may be the one real draw.

Killeen is an Army town that is experiencing tremendous growth. Many of its residents are well traveled and have been stationed all over the world. Those who choose to put down roots here do so because they have family and/or military connections to the area. Some stay after they retire because they like it (we have 2 lakes with many fishing, boating an hiking opportunities). I'm sure the affordability with close proximity to Austin/ Round Rock will continue to bring residents to this area. Also Killeen/ Fort Area has some good areas and our school district has been very proactive and innovative in responding to the area's growth. It's unfair and not very accurate to assume that everyone here is either too stupid or not worldly enough to know any better.

[Stu8912]

Originally Posted by ck77

Killeen is an Army town that is experiencing tremendous growth. Many of its residents are well traveled and have been stationed all over the world. Those who choose to put down roots here do so because they have family and/or military connections to the area. Some stay after they retire because they like it (we have 2 lakes with many fishing, boating an hiking opportunities). I'm sure the affordability with close proximity to Austin/ Round Rock will continue to bring residents to this area. Also Killeen/ Fort Area has some good areas and our school district has been very proactive and innovative in responding to the area's growth. It's unfair and not very accurate to assume that everyone here is either too stupid or not worldly enough to know any better.

Except Killeen doesn't have two lakes. The two you are mentioning would be much closer to Belton, Temple, Nolanville or Harket Heights. I'm not saying the entire area is bad or without nice areas or opportunities. I just think they are all outside of Killeen itself. And Killeen ISD schools rank poorly on any ranking system you look at.

[ck77]

Originally Posted by Stu8912

Except Killeen doesn't have two lakes. The two you are mentioning would be much closer to Belton, Temple, Nolanville or Harket Heights. I'm not saying the entire area is bad or without nice areas or opportunities. I just think they are all outside of Killeen itself. And Killeen ISD schools rank poorly on any ranking system you look at.

I guess you'll have to qualify what "poorly" means and provide some supporting data. FWIW, I looked at TEA accountability ranking, and although there is room for improvement, I wouldn't classify it as poor or failing and neither does TEA from my interpretation of the data.


Technically you are correct about Stillhouse Lake, but Belton lake is assessable from and borders Fort Hood (BLORA). I consider Copperas Cove, Harker Heights, Killeen and Fort Hood to be all part of the greater Fort Hood region. I am not sure why you are splitting hairs about this. In your previous post you couldn't fathom why anyone would like Killeen. I was merely giving a reason. Although, it is not a waterfront community, we can have the boat in the water and in a half hour without much of any traffic.

I'm not in love with Killeen. We've had our share of tragedies (3 mass shooting and 2 police officers killed in the line of duty). It's a place, just like many places and no one is safe from crime 100 percent of the time. However, I don't agree that it's an awful, terrible place where you are likely to be killed which was the OP's question. Sure, it has its troubles, parts of the city are run down and the crime rate is higher for certain populations (keep in mind that that is probably skewed a bit due to the high percentage of young, single soldiers getting in bar fights).

[Eli Santos]

Originally Posted by ck77

I guess you'll have to qualify what "poorly" means and provide some supporting data. FWIW, I looked at TEA accountability ranking, and although there is room for improvement, I wouldn't classify it as poor or failing and neither does TEA from my interpretation of the data.


Technically you are correct about Stillhouse Lake, but Belton lake is assessable from and borders Fort Hood (BLORA). I consider Copperas Cove, Harker Heights, Killeen and Fort Hood to be all part of the greater Fort Hood region. I am not sure why you are splitting hairs about this. In your previous post you couldn't fathom why anyone would like Killeen. I was merely giving a reason. Although, it is not a waterfront community, we can have the boat in the water and in a half hour without much of any traffic.

I'm not in love with Killeen. We've had our share of tragedies (3 mass shooting and 2 police officers killed in the line of duty). It's a place, just like many places and no one is safe from crime 100 percent of the time. However, I don't agree that it's an awful, terrible place where you are likely to be killed which was the OP's question. Sure, it has its troubles, parts of the city are run down and the crime rate is higher for certain populations (keep in mind that that is probably skewed a bit due to the high percentage of young, single soldiers getting in bar fights).

Nah, the city of Killeen really is trash, a lot of crime goes unreported. Mostly car jackings and muggings, because what can you really do if you get mugged or your car gets jacked. The city has some good parts but if you're not talking about Harker Heights or Belton most of the area is bad. It's also starting to trickle into the ok parts of Killeen. Plus many shootings go unreported unless someone is badly injured or dies. It's sad to say, not really, but pretty much the whole city is bad.

[brock2010]

Originally Posted by ck77

I live here and have no problems. Of course, I am pretty boring and do not get involved in drugs and do not frequent the bars and clubs in the notoriously seedy areas.

I'm the same way. I don't really go a lot of places and certainly don't associate with questionable people or partake in questionable activity. As long as you mind your business, don't draw attention to yourself and stay out of the drama you'll be fine for the most part.