Gary Warnings and Dangers

sambarnett wrote:

"Should you find yourself here, the Gary street system is pretty easy. Most of the city follows a grid pattern. The main street is Broadway (Route 53) which runs north-south and is intersected by numbered avenues. The higher the number the farther south you are heading. The Gary-Merrillville border is 53rd Avenue.
North-south streets west of Broadway are named after US Presidents, in the order they became president. North-south streets east of Broadway after US States and their admittance to the Union. Hope you paid attention in Social Studies. Note: A few neighborhoods don't follow this naming scheme."

Also, the numbered avenues are each one-tenth of a mile apart. For example from 15th avenue to 25th avenue is 1 mile.

I used to drive a taxi in Gary during the day and night. I never got robbed, no one ever jumped out of the cab w/o paying, and I never once felt threatened. In my opinion, the main thing you have to look out for (if you're white) is the police. If they see a white person (especially if you're with someone who's black) chances are you will get pulled over, searched, hassled, etc... If you treat people with respect, for the most part, they will leave you alone other than maybe asking for a dollar or some change. I once had a tire blow in the heart of Gary at 10:30 pm (note I'm white) and 4 gentlemen helped me put on my spare. One even gave me the tire iron he lent me because he said he had an extra one. Now I'm not saying Gary can't be a dangerous place, but if you're not there trying to buy drugs or pick up a hooker chances are you're going to be just as safe as you would be in a major city like Chicago, or New York. People talk about how dangerous and horrible of a city it is, yet the only time they spend there is driving through. Since the vast majority of Gary's residents are black while driving through they see several black people and I personally believe racism fuels the over exaggeration of the lack of Gary's safety. Yes crime occurs there, but like I said, if you're not there to commit a crime yourself, you really don't have much to worry about. On the other hand, there really isn't much happening in Gary (other than Railcats games) unless you like strip clubs and adult stores with booths (gross!) that sell everything perverted under the sun. That being said it isn't much of a destination for any kind of vacation or getaway. Finally, if you act like a victim, people are MUCH more likely to make you a victim which is true for any city that has a crime problem.

Dangerous Areas:

Most of it.

I was born in East Chicago (Nearby). Trust Me.

One day they will just bomb it, scrape away the putrid soil, and start over.

However, if you want a real good look at what Jesse Jackson and his ilk have done for America, you've come to the right place.

Gary is one of the most dangerous cities in America. Unless you have to be there for work or are going to dinner in Miller, DO NOT STOP! This is NOT a place for people who are unfamiliar with Northwest Indiana.

If passing through on the Indiana Toll Road, I-65, or I-80/94 and you need to stop for gas, food, or anything else, make sure you stop elsewhere.

Off the toll road, there is an oasis near Portage, IN.

Off 80/94, avoid the following exits: Broadway, Grant, Burr

Off I-65, avoid the following exit: 15th Ave, Ridge Road West.

Despite some negative stereotypes about "Scary Gary", it can be a pretty cool place, too. I won't lie and say that there is no crime out here, but it's nothing we gotta be fatalistic about either, you know?

If you're visiting G.I. for the first time, try driving up Broadway from the south side of the city at Glen Park, through east Tolleston, through downtown, and cut back out down Interstate 90 on the north side. That'll give you a good introductory view of the city.

Gary's one of those fun places to chill, and overall, it gets way more negativity than it deserves. If you stand out on the corner of N. Grant Street and 11th Ave. at 1:00 AM, people will probably assume you're "selling something." But G.I.'s about the dopest spot in the Midwest, and I plan to be back!

Many people carry guns. Be aware. Some people will attack for no reason. If you have no business there, stay away! If you like violence, go there. Don't expect good behavior. The vacant buildings tell a story. A horrible one indeed.

This is the First Methodist Church in Downtown Gary Indiana. This isn't one of the safe places in the USA. It didn't feel right to take many pictures of the destruction and desolation - people do live here, albeit with a minimum of hope and prospects. You probably don't want to spend a lot of time here too far away from the "safety" of your car. Please read Sam Barnett's page for a fuller description and explanation of this area.

The gasoline stations at the exits just off I-80/94 are safe enough to fill up at during the day, although you'll probably notice some hookers. If you need to fill up at night I'd recommend waiting until you reach Porter County, about 10 miles to the east.

This is a rough place. "Must See Activities" must be taken very lightly. If anything, I put these pictures here so you can see bits of the area without having to go through there.
   Parts of the city are safer than others, so check out my warnings.
Pictured: A hang out for a local biker gang: The Sin City Disciples. Obviously spelling isn't a prerequisite.