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When planning any journey, you wish to make it possible for wherever you’re going is protected. So, is Jacksonville protected? After visiting the town for 5 years and residing right here full-time for a 12 months, I can let you know that Jacksonville is a wonderfully protected place to go to for vacationers. Identical to all massive cities, you simply have to know which areas to go to and which areas to keep away from in Jacksonville.

In accordance with U.S. Information, Jacksonville was ranked #16 on the “Finest Locations to Reside” within the United States. It’s actually a gorgeous metropolis with tons to supply, many nice areas to remain, and an virtually countless listing of issues to do. Right here’s a bit extra about Daring Metropolis and its total security.

Is Jacksonville Secure For Guests?

General, vacationers don’t want to fret about their security in Jacksonville. Locations that vacationers go to, like downtown and the seashore areas, are completely protected and are identified for his or her low crime charges.

The climate is usually a bit intense through the wet months (August and September), so correct journey planning is certainly suggested. Flights will be delayed and street journey may be harmful at occasions, nevertheless, inclement climate often passes pretty rapidly in Jacksonville.

I like residing in Jacksonville and have by no means felt that my security was in jeopardy. Vacationers ought to really feel assured that theirs received’t both.

Climate In Jacksonville

The climate in Jacksonville varies vastly from season to season. Most individuals suppose Florida is heat all 12 months spherical, and whereas the summers are sizzling and humid, the winters are literally fairly cool. Actually, over the course of a 12 months, the temperature varies from 46 to 95 levels.

Anticipate heavy downpours and thunderstorms through the sizzling summer season months, and crisp, vibrant days through the winter months. No matter season you resolve to go to Jacksonville, it’s all the time stunning and there’s all the time a enjoyable exercise to do.

The factor I like essentially the most about residing in Jacksonville is that simply while you’ve had sufficient sunshine, you get reduction from a bit little bit of rain earlier than the solar returns. It’s a subtropical local weather (in contrast to the tropical climates in Miami or Tampa) which I personally discover to be best.

SEE ALSO: Finest Time To Go to Jacksonville, Florida (By a Metropolis Native)

Hazardous Climate and Pure Disasters

Jacksonville can expertise extreme storms from late Might to September. Heavy rainfall, lightning, damaging winds, hail, and even tornadoes are doable. July via September is the height of the moist and stormy season.

In September of 1964, Hurricane Dora triggered 14 inches of rain that resulted in horrific flooding across the metropolis of Jacksonville. Nonetheless, the worst storm to hit Jacksonville was Tropical Storm Irma in September of 2017. The St. Johns River flooded to historic ranges, placing Jacksonville and Jax Seashore underwater.

Hurricane Season in Jacksonville

Hurricane season runs from June 1st to November thirtieth, nevertheless, the season typically peaks between mid-August and late October. Fortunately, because of Jacksonville’s location, hurricanes and tropical storms are likely to miss the town, and vital harm is often averted. The 2 storms talked about above are the largest to hit the town in over 100 years.

Issues to Know About Security in Jacksonville

Security for guests and residents in Jacksonville is mostly not a priority. General, for giant cities, Jacksonville is a protected metropolis to go to – after all, as with all massive metropolis, sure areas needs to be averted. After 5 years of spending time within the metropolis, I’ve by no means felt unsafe within the locations and areas I frequent.

Since Jacksonville is a significant metropolis, guests have to do their analysis and know which locations are protected and which areas needs to be averted. Almost all vacationer and widespread points of interest, occasions, and eating places are positioned in protected areas of Jacksonville.

Crime in Jacksonville

The statistics for crime and security in Jacksonville are a bit hanging and aren’t a correct illustration of the favored vacationer spots of the town. Nonetheless, because of excessive crime in sure areas, the numbers is usually a bit alarming. Any guests ought to all the time full their very own thorough analysis earlier than selecting which neighborhood to remain in.

In accordance with Neighborhood Scout, Jacksonville was given a complete crime index of 8, which suggests it’s safer than 8% of U.S. neighborhoods. The crime fee is roughly 33.76 (per 1,000 residents) with 6.87 being violent crimes. Compared, the violent crime fee within the U.S. is roughly 5.6.

CrimeGrade.org offers Jacksonville against the law grade of “C,” which is across the similar common as different main U.S. cities. Additionally they place Jacksonville within the forty fifth percentile for security which suggests 55% of cities can be thought-about safer and 45% of cities are extra harmful.

Jacksonville Security Ideas

Regardless of the figures above, there are lots of protected areas in Jacksonville and methods to make sure your security and luxury whereas visiting the town. In 2021, the town noticed a 28% drop in violent crime and the sheriff’s workplace is working to make sure these numbers go down yearly.

I’ve explored Jacksonville from prime to backside, and its surrounding areas as effectively, so I’ve been capable of get a great gauge of which neighborhoods are the most secure. Listed here are some insights and tips on security in Jacksonville that I’ve gathered through the years.

Secure Neighborhoods and Areas in Jacksonville

Jacksonville is a large, sprawling metropolis with dozens of neighborhoods. Throughout the Jax metropolis limits, there are additionally numerous very protected neighborhoods. These are the highest three most secure areas in Jacksonville.

Eagle Bend: The small, quiet space of Eagle Bend is by far the most secure neighborhood in Jacksonville, boasting against the law fee 94% decrease than the town’s common. It’s a gorgeous neighborhood surrounded by nature and it’s additionally very reasonably priced.

Ortega Forest: With against the law fee 81% decrease than the Jacksonville common, the prosperous space of Ortega Forest on the west facet of the town may be very protected. It’s one of many wealthiest neighborhoods within the metropolis the place you’ll discover riverfront mansions constructed within the 1900s.

Girvin: One of many most secure seashore cities in Jacksonville is Girvin. Its crime fee is 77% decrease than the town’s common which makes it fairly engaging. The world is widespread with the youthful crowd and has a full of life nightlife scene.

Widespread Scams in Jacksonville

Fortunately, there aren’t many tourist-related scams in Jacksonville, nevertheless, Florida ranks because the second-worst state for rip-off victims and Jacksonville ranks because the Tenth-worst metropolis for potential rip-off victims. Sadly, many of those scams goal senior residents.

Electronic mail Scams: Electronic mail scams are frequent within the Jacksonville space. Potential victims will obtain an electronic mail disguised as a supply service similar to USPS, FedEx, or UPS. They trick you by saying a package deal is delayed and encourage you to click on a hyperlink then present private data or ship cash.

Cellphone Scams: Scams through textual content or cell telephones are quite common in Jacksonville. One disturbing rip-off is when the scammer calls a possible sufferer, asks “Are you able to hear me?” and information the decision. They then use your response of “sure” or “no” to aim to enroll in providers that solely require a verbal settlement.

LGBTQ+ Security

Jacksonville has a vibrant LGBTQ+ group, nevertheless, a 2017 examine confirmed that 75% of lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, and transgender adults in Northeast Florida skilled threats, persistent disrespect, and harassment due to their gender or sexual orientation.

The outcomes of the examine shall be utilized in grant-making selections and the implementation of Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance. This ordinance prohibits discrimination primarily based on race, intercourse, sexual orientation, and gender identification. At the moment, Florida has no such nondiscrimination legal guidelines.

Ingesting Water Security

The faucet water in Jacksonville is completely protected to drink. The JEA (the native water utility) says they take a look at the water greater than 50,000 occasions per 12 months. Although it’s protected to drink, some declare that it has an disagreeable style in areas of the town and locals have expressed emotions that extra may very well be carried out to purify the water.

In the event you’d like extra particulars on the water’s take a look at outcomes, the JEA releases Water High quality Studies yearly. You’ll be able to obtain experiences relationship again ten years.

Put together For Jacksonville’s Climate

Relying on while you go to, Jacksonville’s climate will be unpredictable at occasions. I’ve discovered a number of suggestions whereas residing in Jacksonville and I’m very happy to share them with you.

All the time have an additional layer within the automotive: Protecting a sweatshirt or hoodie within the automotive is one thing I all the time do now. In the summertime, it’s extraordinarily sizzling, so that you’ll most definitely be carrying shorts and a tank prime, however many eating places and bars are blasting their A/C and I find yourself freezing. In the course of the winter, it may be sunny and 65 at midday however clouds can rapidly roll in inflicting the temperature to drop to lows of 55. In each instances, the additional layer is a savior.

By no means go away residence with out sunscreen and bug spray: Florida is generally sunny all 12 months spherical, so making sunscreen part of your day by day routine is essential – not solely while you’re on the seashore. I counsel you to maintain bug spray in your bag as effectively; through the humid summer season months, the mosquitos and different bugs will be brutal.

A small umbrella is a giant funding: Thunderstorms and heavy downpours can seem out of nowhere in Jacksonville. One minute it’s sunny, and the subsequent, you could possibly be soaked. I prefer to maintain a small umbrella in my bag through the wet season… simply in case.

Be Conscious of Your Environment

Irrespective of the place you journey, it’s all the time essential to pay attention to your environment. Even within the most secure areas of Jacksonville, it’s finest to maintain your senses sharp always. By no means stroll with earbuds, don’t stroll alone at night time, and put on a cross-body bag as an alternative of an over-the-shoulder bag.

Keep Close to In style Points of interest

When staying close to widespread places, you are usually in safer and lower-crime areas. Locations like Jacksonville Seashore (and surrounding seashore cities), San Marco, or Southside are nice choices for protected neighborhoods in Jacksonville.

Depart Valuables at House

Though the possibilities of theft in your go to to Jacksonville are extraordinarily low, it’s all the time clever to go away costly or sentimental valuables at residence. Issues like rings, designer purses, or laptops are usually objects which might be focused for theft.

Plan Forward

Having a recreation plan is all the time a good suggestion when touring. “Is it protected in Jacksonville?” is a query that shouldn’t play in your thoughts throughout your go to. That’s why analysis and planning are very important earlier than reserving any flights or lodging.

Dangers & Warnings in Jacksonville

OVERALL RISK: Medium
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: Low
PICKPOCKETS RISK: Low
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: Medium
MUGGING RISK: Medium
TERRORISM RISK: Medium
SCAMS RISK: Low
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: Medium
TAP WATER RISK: Low

Security Information to Locations in Jacksonville

Understanding which neighborhoods and areas are protected and which of them are harmful will maintain you out of hurt’s approach while you go to Jax. Beneath, you’ll discover lists of protected and harmful areas in Jacksonville.

Most secure Locations to Go to in Jacksonville

Security is all the time a precedence while you’re touring. Guide your resort or guesthouse within the neighborhoods under, and also you’ll have the ability to relaxation effectively at night time.

Eagle Bend: As talked about above, Eagle Bend is by far the most secure neighborhood in Jacksonville. Its crime fee is 94% decrease than the town’s. The one draw back is that it’s fairly removed from the town heart – touring in will take over half an hour.

Isle of Palms: Simply outdoors of Jacksonville Seashore is the attractive neighborhood of Isle of Palms. Boasting waterfront houses and a world-class hospital, this space’s crime fee is 76% decrease than the town’s.

Cobblestone: The walkable neighborhood of Cobblestone in Northeast Jacksonville is extremely protected. Its crime fee is 80% decrease than the town’s.

Locations to Keep away from in Jacksonville

Like some other main metropolis, there are some harmful areas in Jacksonville, however high-crime neighborhoods should not the place a typical vacationer would go to. Downtown and the seashores are very protected. Listed here are a few of the worst neighborhoods in Jacksonville.

twenty ninth and Chase: The neighborhood (not an intersection) of twenty ninth and Chase is an space that needs to be averted. Positioned in North Jacksonville, it has against the law fee that’s shockingly 402% greater than the nationwide common. This space makes up a bulk of Jacksonville’s crime.

East Jacksonville: With against the law fee 372% greater than the nationwide common, the world of East Jacksonville isn’t a spot you wish to enterprise to. The variety of crimes dedicated is simply shy of twenty ninth and Chase.

Mid-West Aspect: One other harmful neighborhood in Jacksonville is the Mid-West Aspect. The crime fee is 379% greater than the nationwide common.

Steadily Requested Questions About Jacksonville Security

I’ve explored the neighborhoods, talked to long-time locals, and discovered quite a bit about Jacksonville security. Listed here are some frequent questions individuals are likely to have.

Closing Ideas – Is Jacksonville Really Secure?

So, is Jacksonville protected? All in all, Jacksonville is a superb and protected metropolis for vacationers to go to and for individuals to dwell in. Although the info is alarming, it’s essential to understand that the vast majority of crime is going on in particular areas of Jacksonville. Many neighborhoods are very protected and are perfect for a trip, a getaway, or an evening out.

I’ve beloved residing in Jacksonville for the previous 12 months. I’m repeatedly discovering so many hidden gems throughout the town and have by no means felt unsafe within the locations I frequent. In the event you’re planning a go to or considering of creating a transfer to the town, your security in Jacksonville doesn’t must be a fear or concern.