The 11 Most Dangerous Cities

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Interesting comments here, to be sure. I was born and raised in Birmingham, spent 7 and 1/2 years in the Baltimore/D.C. corridore, and I'm now in my 4th year here in Orlando. Man, I've spent time in some other areas of the country, too- I just hate those areas didn't make the list, too!
I'll start by admitting that I'm a white guy- born in Alabama, but I've never lit a cross in someone's yard or turned a hose on anyone. I'm a down to Earth guy- one that's walked the halls of The White House for a year, yet also kept my wits about me and wasn't above standing on a D.C. corner (17th and G, if anyone is familiar) and singing impromptu Isley Brothers tunes with a couple of homeless guys I only knew as Sweet Lou and Shorty Cane.
One thing I always find amusing and hypocritical coming from those on the political left (and I once walked that side of the aisle) is their double standard with regard to race. It's OK to talk about race and how minorities have so many obstacles they may never overcome because they happened to be born "non-white", but a white guy that dares to ascribe anything bad towards members of a racial group based on pure facts is labeled a racist. In fact, we're almost to the point where any interaction between whites and minorities is an opportunity to be called racist.
If a couple of black guys break into my house and I have to shoot them in fear for my life, I can almost see the "2 black guys shot by angry white homeowner" headline- when it should say "2 dirtbags try to steal a man's belongings and picked the wrong man to mess with". I've also found it silly that many who complain about the lack of "racial progress" America's made fail to realize and/or recognize the progress that HAS been made.
That city once known as "Bombingham" and home to places that, as Dr King said, marked time as the most segregated places in the country? It's had a black mayor since 1979. The city council's majority black, including its president. The district's elected a black congressman for years now, and the recently departed Artur Davis failed in his bid to become Alabama's 1st black governor but remains a rising star that may instead find his way back to Washington one day as Alabama's 1st black U.S. Senator. Here in Orlando, our police chief is black and her husband is the Orange County Sheriff.
To be sure, there is still a great deal of work to be done in the area of racial progress- and we must be careful to ensure that our efforts toward equality don't lead the pendulum across its midpoint once it gets there. But we do Dr. King's memory and ourselves a disservice if we fail to recognize that part of his dream has come true.

bamaburgess of FL 3:44PM February 20, 2011

I have lived in Central Florida for almost 25 years. Are there bad neighborhoods? Absolutely -- however they are far and few in between. My guess is the number of thefts and robberies is large because of all the tourists in our area. They leave stuff in their rental cars and that is just too tempting for a criminal type. As for the poster above who spoke about all the gun shots and drunks he "used" to hear in Orlando. I must wonder what type of places he choose to hang out in? Never heard a gun shot in my life here. His post should be taken for the comical post it is.

Laurie of FL 6:33AM February 20, 2011

we'd like to pretend its really just the tourists that make the crime in Orlando, but fact is, Orlando is a pretty grimey area. Moved away from there a few years ago, it was tough adjusting to the new atmosphere, almost wanted to play recordings with gun shots, cars screeching, and drunks yelling to feel at home. Went back to visit, forgot what its like when you hear close gun shots. You peek out the window, wait a few minutes, do it again. Some time goes by, maybe have the courage to walk outside and check... And this wasn't even living in whats considered the ghetto there. There are some streets that you just don't go on, and again, this has nothing to do with the tourists. What do you expect? the weather is decent, its an overall cheap place to live, of course there would be a lot of degenerates there.

ron of FL 5:30AM February 20, 2011

I've worked and lived in Minneapolis and Milwaukee. I'd walk down the streets of Minneapolis at midnight 1000 times before I'd try that in Milwaukee.

asdf of WI 10:59PM February 19, 2011

The number for Orlando is actually not accurate at all. When crime statistics are counted the number of visitors to your area are not factored in at all. Orlando gets 50 million tourists a year. A crime against any of them will simply be counted as a crime against someone living in Orlando. Increase Orlando's population by 50 million to account for our tourists and you will have a more accurate count of the number of crimes "per capita". Orlando will NOT make the top 10. Or probably 25.

JD of FL 9:44PM February 19, 2011

For the bigots and racists to come. Nothing relavent or value added to bring to the discussion. No helpful suggestions or crime control policies or ideas...Just another opportunity to declare your disdain for people of color. Keep trolling the internet...I'm sure there is another article of bad news for which you can blames blacks & latinos.

J.T. of VA 8:23PM February 19, 2011

Anyone who had ever accidentally driven into the bad part of Baltimore knows it. Or taken the Metro through the rough areas of DC. Or taken the subway to the Bronx Zoo. Or Cabrini Green in Chicago or the projects in New Orleans. Living in Orlando and having visited all these places, I have a hard time swallowing this report.
Orlando is more dangerous than east L.A.? Miami? Atlanta? South Dallas? I'm not buying it.

snacko of FL 7:57PM February 19, 2011

In Orlando, we unfortunately, have a mayor and police chief who don't want to admit to problem, refuse to address it, and hope the level of crime will just go away by building a few more venues to attract a few turistas from Disney. Ask any street officer what he/she thinks of the new police chief and you will get the same answer from most. The PDs hands are tied by the chief and flashy, ineffective mayor.

John of FL 6:26PM February 19, 2011

To add to Jon B of Ohio:
When the goal is to deceive a population using statistical fabrication, and that goal is, let's say disarming America, then a strategy is required.
Accomplishing these strategical steps in sequential ascending order would quickly reveal its intentions and lead to its subsequent resistance.
So it would be snake clever to start at the last step and accomplish all the other steps in a disorganized fashion. That would effectively hide the strategic nature of the plan.
As with all lies and deceptions, the apparent statistical misrepresentation (or other concoction) of any one of these "Steps" exposes the deviousness inherent and thus its smelly nature.
The report stinks! The need to shoe-horn gun control in these crime ridden cities isn't a far stretch. The perverse law of "precedence" is their tactic of choice. How many times have we seen the Socialist left try this? They never stop! Persistent vigilance is always required.

Nebo of FL 5:06PM February 19, 2011

To the commenter Orlando: I agree with your comment. I was born and raised in New Orleans. When I first met my husband, who was from another city, I took him to St Roch Cemetary, a most interesting landmark to visit, unknown to tourists, but in a fairly high crime neighborhood. I had already bought a 22 Baretta, as I was then single, living alone and working late night shifts at a hospital. As we were getting out the car, I asked my future husband if he had his pistol with him. He answered that he didn't and then asked "don't you have yours in your purse?" To which I replied "yes, but I'd still rather you had yours also." He asked in amazement "do you mean this is a 2-pistol cemetary?" Sad, but it was true.
We moved to northern California after the now-familiar "losing it all." I was very aware that the City of Houston, with a heart of gold, took in displaced New Orleanians with open hearts and seems to have been repaid with high crime rates. I was not aware of a large population of displaced New Orleanians moving to Orlando though.
My daughter still lives in New Orleans and it seems as though life is so much better in New Orleans now. The crime rate went down exponentially. There is a new government and the citizens sound pretty happy. It's almost as though Katrina was a biblical cleaning; i.e. baptism by fire. I'm so happy for New Orleans but so sad for Houston and Orlando. Thank you, Houston; you've done so much!

JennaJ of CA 2:11PM February 19, 2011