Areas to Avoid / Crime, Dallas

If you go to South Dallas and you stand out at all you might find yourself shot or carjacked or raped. Even the folks in South Dallas keep their eyes peeled because things go down so fast in S. Dallas. You have lots of gangs and lots of drugs there. West Dallas has some cool parts and good off the beaten track restaurants but again, it's a heavy crime area. If you look like you can't handle yourself in a fight etc, you might get taken and I have seen it happen right out on the street in the broad daylight.
Lastly, the Dallas Police Dept. Look people, Dallas is a deep southern city, this means just like New Orleans and other deep southern cities they do things a bit differently. They may take some freedoms with your so-called rights if you will. Yes sir and no sir are the only answers I would advise, any other answers may get you arrested for little or nothing or worse, have seen it happen. So know where you're at and mind the law.

Back in the mid 1980's through the early part of the 21st century the South side of Dallas was considered infiltrated with crime and violence, however, statistics now support that there was a greater increase of crime within the Northern part of Dallas, than was in Southern Dallas in 2008. Just a bit of facts to consider:

I recently read a reply sharing the recent killing of one of Dallas finest (Dallas Police Officer,) and the fact that he was killed in the southern city of Dallas...However, the writer neglected to mention that the same officer lived in the Southern sector himself. They also mentioned how sad it was that this was the first officer killed this year, again, they neglected to mention that today is only the 12th day of the year, and he was shot last week.

I have read a comment about one lady who had some people walking up behind her in a dark parking lot as she approached her car...however, she never said that this male, woman and child assaulted her, she said she "felt scared." She also mentioned that she pulled some type of a weapon from her sock, and they were five feet behind her, they saw the weapon (and per her insinuation,) they ran away. I don't know about anyone else but to assume that a man, woman "AND A CHILD" is approaching you to hurt you might be a little stretching it in my view. I have never had, nor carried a weapon and I personally would be more afraid of the lady that had the insinuated "Weapon" than of the man, woman and child walking.

I continue to read a number of write up's about "People who have HEARD," and except for the prior mentioned, I've not read any reply that say that any of the individuals have ever been to, visited, or lived in any of the southern areas, such as "Oak Cliff."

Allow me to share:
Fact: Desoto (a southern city) homes has 4-gated areas
Fact: The individuals in the southern sector are a lot more laid back than their counterparts
Fact: People tend to fear "The Unknown"
Fact: The D.A. for the City of Dallas lives two streets over from me, in the Southern sector
Fact: There are a great number of "Who's Who" in America that live in the southern sector
Fact: Other than the area called "Valley Ranch" that is in the "Western" area of Dallas in a
City called "Irving" or "Los Colinas" most of our football and basketball players for the
Dallas Cowboys live in the southern sector.
Fact: The officer previously mentioned that was recently shot and killed, lived in the southern
Sector, and his wife and family still do live in the area.
Fact: Ron Kirk (Senator that has just be assigned to a cabinet position by Pres. Obama) still
has his home and family here in the southern sector of Dallas, where he lived until last
week when he spoke to my husband in the midst of moving.
Fact: The homes in the southern sector of Dallas has more land than any of its surrounding
Dallas County cities
Fact: The area that Bush's have chosen to make their home is considered "Southern Dallas."
Fact: One of the most expensive homes in the entire Dallas County is lifted at 20M, and it is
located in "Southern Dallas."
Fact: "Dallas City" (Not county, because the county includes all the suburbs in southern
Dallas) nationally has some of the "WORST" schools
Fact: Since you don’t know me, or any of the other writers, so do the research for yourself,
and if at all possible, visit.
Fact: Peoples opinions can kill

Honestly... some of the people writing about the areas to avoid are so ignorant and probably racist. I live in Northeast Dallas, around Skillman and 635, one of the areas that some people are saying to avoid, someone actually called it "slummy." I have never and will never live in a slum. I am a college graduate, married with 2 small children. I have no problems with where I live. The area I live has a lot of apartments and there are many bus stops on the street, so you will see people walking down the street all the time. This has absolutely nothing to do with crime. Actually, I live within Richardson School District, which is nationally recognized. Anywhere north of Dallas is just fine, it's just that some areas are more beautiful than others. I actually wanted to buy a house around here (Lake Highlands is a beautiful area), but when I started looking I found that the homes are way more expensive than many of the suburbs (that should tell you something... it's a desirable place to be). Don't let a few black faces scare you... the places you should really be careful of are the places way outside of Dallas where they will shoot you for stepping foot on their property. And as of Oak Cliff/South Dallas... I've heard bad things but I don't know anything about it and I've never been there. Anyway, your biggest worries while in Dallas should not be crime... it should be staying safe on the road... people don't know how to drive here.

Not well known, but there is a herd of vampiric pegasi marauding around Oak Cliff. Do not get caught outside after dark, otherwise these blood-drinking, flying horses will swoop down and exsanguinate you on the spot.

If I could give anyone moving to Dallas a tip, just don't live in an apartment. This is an extremely dangerous city and apartments are the most dangerous part, especially at night. Also don't joke yourself into thinking your in a good area, apartments are like little islands of hell and as soon as you step onto that property, the demographics drastically change. If you wan't the urban experience, move to New York, Dallas is just not the city for that, you will be around lots of crime and thug lowlifes, trust me on this move to the suburbs.

Dallas is generally a very safe city for visitors, however you should always take care at night, there are some very seedy areas to be avoided at night.

Texas has a concealed weapons policy, meaning that it is legal for individuals who have purchased permits, to carry concealed weapons.

I am a home owner in N. oak cliff. A huge advocate for the area and the businesses. I was violently attacked at the texas theater May 2012 in the theater. Was a supporter and frequently visited.. on this occasion watching the Avengers was pulled out of my seat to my knees and given an indian burn on my arms by a fellow patron who said I was talking.This was done with no warning. I am a 110lb woman with the attacker being a large male. No one mentioned they were disturbed and I am very conscientious of my actions and certainly didn't mean to be disruptive in any way if in fact I was disturbing someone. No on said anything before I was attacked. Reporting to the management I was told this was my problem and not their concern. I will certainly NEVER go back again and feel obligated to tell everyone of the potential danger of this place. I am a highly esteemed and good citizen of Dallas. I warn you to be extremely careful in venturing into this establishment as your safety is apparently, disrespected, disregarded, and it caters to a lower element of society.

As far as Dallas Is concerned, stay out of South Dallas at night and be careful while visiting during the day. The West End is a normal tourist spot to visit downtown and is safe most all of the time due to police presence. The most you have to worry about in the West End is having your car broken into or stolen, which is OK since I assume youll have a rental. Just keep your car locked and valuables hidden. Deep Ellum is a different story. Park in a well lit lot no matter what it costs. Best to park in a busy area instead of the outskirts.
Traffic: Try not to travel during rush hour.

Cedar Springs Road is full of Restaurants, Bars, Boutiques, and is nice for a few blocks of Cedar Springs where these are-BUT-DO NOT wander the side streets west of there. There are lots of robberies. Also, make sure to park your car in a lot that is patrolled, DO NOT park on the side streets, or you will more than likely have your car broken into. Also, Avoid the northern part of Cedar Springs Rd. Once you go past Douglas, you will be asking for problems. There are tons of apartment buildings, and there are lots, LOTS of break-ins to cars. If you walk that area, you will more than likely be harassed or worse.

The drug problem in that area is horrendous, Crack is big around there, and there is another drug called Ice that people will kill you to get money to buy. I unfortunately moved to this area, and have had 2 vehicles broken into, plus have had my bicycle stolen from a 2nd floor balcony. My apartment has a few drug dealers, and there is drug dealing and prostitution going on all night long. The traffic is non-stop, and there are lots of gunshots fired around here. The cops are slow to respond, if they bother to come at all. I am ready to move away from here it is so bad.

If you don't know your way around the best advice I can give you is don't go south of Downtown, particularly if you are white or asian. Most of the urban area south,to the southeast and southwest of Downtown is low income and could be prone to racial incidents depending on the state of local politics. Conversly in particular times of racial unrest if you are African American you may want to be careful where you go in outlying areas. I am not at all proud of this, in fact it makes my stomach hurt, but better safe than sorry.