Georgia is home to some of the country's most dangerous neighborhoods. Many people who live in these areas get up and go to work each morning wondering what they'll find when they return home in the evening. And taking a vacation, a weekend away or even just a night out can create so much stress that it may not even be worth it to try.
"If you live in one of these neighborhoods, it can be scary, to say the least," says Scott Slade, on-air personality for Atlanta's WSD Radio, 750 AM and News 95.5 and spokesperson for Ackerman Security. "You may worry all the time about break-ins, or worse yet, your family's safety."
Fortunately, there are solutions, even if you live in one of these seven high-crime neighborhoods.
- College Park - This one consistently comes near the top of every list of dangerous areas. In fact, it's one of the worst neighborhoods in the country. With burglary occurring at a rate of over four times the national average and robbery six times greater, it's a place where you need to take steps to protect what's yours. Violent crime is also disproportionately higher than the national average. Lock your doors, windows and vehicle, and always be mindful of your surroundings.
- East Point - This town isn't just one of Georgia's most dangerous, it also usually ranks high on the U.S. list. Located just minutes away from College Park, it's also a suburb of Atlanta just inside the southwest part of the perimeter. With high rates of burglary, theft, robbery and violent crime, it's also a place where you're nearly six times more likely to get your car stolen than the national average. Garage your vehicle, if you can, and install an alarm system.
- Hapeville - Another Atlanta suburb located near Hartsfield-Jackson airport on the south end of Atlanta, Hapeville ranks as a highly unsafe city. Violent crime is twice the national average, and your chances of being the victim of a property crime are one in nine. Per square mile, crime density is about 10 times greater than the national median.
- Bankhead in Atlanta- This neighborhood lies just west of downtown Atlanta not far from Georgia Tech. Here, violent crime is nearly triple the national average, and property crime is more than double. Boarded up windows are everywhere. If you must live here, lock your windows and doors and remain alert — you may want to consider automated smart locks.
- Pittsburgh in Atlanta- Named after the Pennsylvania city due to its original working-class population, the Pittsburgh neighborhood lies in the southwest quadrant of the city, where I-20 and I-75 meet. It's adjacent to other high-crime areas, Mechanicsville and Adair Park. Pittsburgh's robbery rate is a whopping eight times the national average, and burglary is more than three times. Chances of having your car stolen? Seven times the national average. Get an alarm system.
- Douglasville - About 20 miles west of Atlanta, the city of Douglasville is the Douglas County seat. Although it promotes itself as a place of charm and growth, the crime statistics paint a less rosy picture. Violent crime there is nearly twice the national average, and property crime is more than double. It's not all bad. While the town is picturesque and the film industry is growing there, this would be an ideal place to install a security system or video surveillance.
- Rome - Located in northwest Georgia in Floyd County, this city has a long and storied history, museums and culture - not exactly the type of place you'd expect to be a hotspot for criminal activity. Yet, property crime thrives here, more than violent crime, with burglary and theft quite a bit higher than the national average. If you live here, protect your home.
What can you do?
If you live in or near a dangerous neighborhood, there are actions you can take. Don't just sit still and become a victim.
Make sure your windows and doors are locked - It may seem obvious enough, but check them! People may open a window during the night and forget to close it or accidentally leave the back door unlocked when taking out the trash.
Get a monitored security system - These systems are more affordable than ever, and a good security company can tailor a system to your home and budget. Many offer lost-cost monitoring services for burglary, and some even allow you to watch and control your home's security from your phone or tablet, no matter where you are.
Participate in a neighborhood watch program - Join the watch if there's one available in your area, or start one if there isn't. The more people looking out for each other's property and safety, the better.
Install exterior lighting around your home and trim back bushes - Darkness is the friend of a burglar, as are hiding places. Eliminate them.
Lock your vehicle and garage - Look into installing an alarm system for your garage. Car theft is very common in these high crime areas, and it's well-worth the investment to protect your ability to get to work and school.
Monitor your personal safety - Be constantly aware of your surroundings, especially when outdoors alone. You may want to take self-defense classes at the local community center or get pepper spray. Be especially careful getting in and out of your vehicle in darkened areas or when entering your home.
"There's no reason to sit by and let criminals destroy your hard-earned property or threaten your safety," says Scott Slade. "Fight back with awareness, with the help of your neighbors and with the modern technology specifically designed to help you. A good security system protects every part of your property."
As the country experiences a movement to rescue its neighborhoods from crime, join in and fight back! Protect your home and family with the resources available to you.
Sponsored by Ackerman Security
Crime data sourcing:
https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/
