Dayton Warnings and Dangers

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Dayton is separated by Main Street. It is divided between the East Side and the West Side. One side is not more dangerous than the other. Unemployment is affecting everyone equally. Crime on both sides is very common. The best bet is to stay downtown or at least near downtown. Most tourist spots are near downtown. If you happen to get in a run down neighborhood use common sense. Don't let people come up to your car window. If you see bars on the windows, turn around. Don't venture out to far at night. There is nothing to see in the different neighborhoods at night anyhow. Also, watch out for housing projects. There are many of them in Dayton and they are spread around the city. Fortunately, the city is trying to move the people out of the projects and demolish them. So a few of them have already been shut down.

I have seen way too many people writing on here that just don't get it right. OK, granted, there are bad parts of Dayton, but it is just like any other city. The main thing about the Dayton "thug element" is they can smell fear. If you act intimidated, they will know it. If you at least give the impression that you are not to be messed with, usually they will leave you alone. I have lived in Dayton for 30 years, and I have never been assaulted, robbed or otherwise. If you walk around town with that "better than thou" attitude, you are asking for it. That being said, if you are truly worried about Dayton, heed what others have said. West Dayton can be intimidating, but if you don't act like you are better than the locals, then you will be okay. I agree with the earlier post about East Dayton. East Dayton is loaded with illegal aliens ( i.e. Mexicans ) that to me are a bigger problem than any West Side issues. These folks can commit any number of crimes, and then leave the country, so just be leary. I really don't get all the bad press about North Dayton, as it is mainly poor white folks. I have never once had a "problem" in OND. Anyways, this town is not "death trap" as told by other posters. Just keep your wits and you will be fine.

i used to live in the dyt. its completely out of control. blacks partrol in huge packs and r ready to attack. if they see u makin any kind of deal on their turf the least ur getting is a beating. ive also been jumped by packs of white boys many times. cops dont give a *** either. i remeber when i was 14 drinkin forties at bell mont and cops cruisin by and just nodding their head. say what u want about it, but its my home.

I grew up in Dayton. Those not familiar with the city find it frightening, but I assure you: all you really have to do is know how not to make yourself into a ready-made victim and you're fine. The west Side is no more dangerous than Old North, and most of the violence is gang related. NOTE: STAY OUT OF THE BGANG_BANGER CLUBS!! They've staked their claims, and since the cops are too busy pulling people over for speeding tickets and traffic violations, they've pretty much abandoned those "trouble spots.

The East Side is where most of the real hell is, primarily because the higher-ups have paid off the beat cops (and probably the media) so that they neglect to report most of the iolence that goes on there. Believe none of the hype. Just make sure you're not unduly provoking attack.

Thos who pin all of the city's ouble on the West side, incidentally, have obviously never been to Detroit or Cleveland or Chicago or New York or Los Angeles. Try looking around the rest of the country before passing judgment on the city.

Maybe you've heard the rumors. The west side of Dayton is apparently pretty bleak and shall we say, pretty dangerous. It's no Anacostia DC, but it has a reputation for being pretty rough. There are often stories on the Dayton evening news about some violent goings-on. I haven't seen it first hand, but why would I want to go check it out? That's one rumor I'll leave well-enough alone.
If you want to see Dayton's crime statistics, you can check out this link. It's not exactly comforting that Dayton's crime level is worse than the national average! But don't let that discourage you if you're coming for a visit. Just stay away from the west side and you should be fine.

Just don't drive past the bridge at any hour and if you do so between 10 and 12 then god help you. You have no business here unless you are black. They don't like white people here, I've have a gun held at me more than once.
PS. When I say "the bridge" I mean the one seperating Patterson and Edwin C. Moses...or the one next to Sinclair. (Sinclair is the good side)

As with most places use common sense and stay aware of your surroundings. There are a few incidents, but I'm a female who frequently goes downtown alone and I haven't had any problems in 20 years. I don't wander alone in isolated and unlit areas--in Dayton or anywhere. There are some rough neighborhoods, but these are mostly residential areas. If you are in the Oregon District stick to the main street, avoid the dark residential streets, and don't drink so much that you stagger down the street like an easy target. Any club will gladly call you a cab.