How safe is the south Bronx these days?

Question

I know in the 70s there was a lot of gang activity, drugs, violence, etc. but a lot of that stuff is cleaned up by now.

I'm sure they still have crack dealers, gangs, etc, but how safe is it now?

Answer 1

A lot of those problems that people heard about from the 70s really continued on in full force all the way into the 90s. It's true that it's cleaned up a lot and it's not exactly block after block of burned out buildings anymore from when arson took over the Bronx. The real estate market and gentrification has a lot to do with that since every area of the city has cleaned up and become way more expensive. The South Bronx is like the final frontier (along with a few neighborhoods in Bklyn like East New York, Brownsville, etc.) Although areas have gotten 'better', other areas have actually had rising crime rates in the past few years.

Bottom line is the South Bronx is still not good. It takes up a lot of area and some neighborhoods are still considered terrible while others aren't as bad. No one I know ever wants to go there but I also don't know anyone that has any reason to go there. A few years ago, I was dog sitting in the Longwood/Hunts Point area for a friend and the advice she gave me was that I would be fine at night if I made a left when I walked out the front door but I would get shot if I took a right. Basically, the block that the building was on in Longwood was 'bad' but pretty safe compared to the neighboring area if I walked further into Hunts Point. My friend had a pit bull puppy and guys were always trying to steal the dog from her by approaching her and asking if they could hold it for a minute. I walked that puppy at 2am and didn't run into any problems but I had to be VERY aware of what was going on around me. I heard a gunshot in the distance but the block I was on was totally silent.

I would never choose to live in the South Bronx but I'm not exactly afraid to go there as long as I know exactly where I am going. The crime rate is still super high and the more time you spend in that area, the higher the chance you will become a victim of a crime (obviously). There's a lot of truth behind the whole 'sticking out' thing and how it relates to safety issues. When you blend in, in whatever way, you're a little better off. If you go there for a day, you'll be fine. If you stay for a year, you'll most likely run into trouble at some point.

Answer 2

These people are painting a different picture than reality. South Bronx is ok if your black or hispanic and you blend in with lower income people. Hey even if you don't you might be fine 99/100 times you visit. I wouldn't say its safe, cleaned up or a good place by any means. This is still the kind of place that will have a bunch of bums burning trash in an oil drum to stay warm. I guess now its a crappy place to be opposed to an organized crime mecca.

I lived in Spanish Harlem and Washington Heights. The only places I try to stay away from is the Bronx and East New York which is down in Brooklyn.

Answer 3

you are able to holiday your motorcycle around the RFK bridge from the bronx to Queens. The bridgw itself is approximately 3 miles or so and could positioned you in Astoria. The Bronx end isn't too some distance from Hunts element. that's in an commercial section that still has housing projects interior of sight. you additionally can take your motorcycle around the Whitestone Bridge to Queens, yet no longer till after rush hour,

Answer 4

I mean, things happen from time to time, but its definitely come a long way since the 1970s. The gang violence has definitely been cleaned up a lot, however i wouldn't call it a safe neighborhood. Definitely improved though.

Answer 5

new york is the safest of the largest cities in the country, and one of the safest in the world. the bronx just has a bad rep for what it was like in the past same with harlem. I had no problem going out at 2 in the morning to eat or letting my wife ride the trains late at night

Answer 6

Getting better, they are cleaning it up, fast. No spot in NY is left unturned.