Virginia Beach Warnings Or Dangers

The 2nd night we were camping in VB the fighter jets staged a war directly over our campsite. Don't know whether a person could find out when this was scheduled but i spent most of the night praying for the people who have to live with real war or for that matter war "games." I thought it was scary, loud, and for sure bad for small children.

Virginia Beach is a large city. It is rated less risky for crime than an average American city of similar size.
The annual statistics show an average of the following per year:
12 murders, 100 rapes, 450 robberies, 370 assaults, 15000 non-violent crimes (thefts, burglaries, and similar crimes).
There are many sex offenders registered in the Virginia Beach area. 432 SOs in a population of 432000 means that there are only 1 sex offender for every 1000 residents.
(if this concerns you as part of your vacation plans then take a look at the website below)

Just use common precautions like locking your car doors, using the latch-chain on the motel door, keeping a low profile, putting valuables in the motel safe and not going to unfamiliar areas alone or late at night. You can ask the motel staff if there are any areas you should avoid.
We have stayed overnight several times in Virginia Beach and camped there also and have never had any problems. But it is always better to be safe than to be sorry.

PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS OF THE BEACH POLICE ON BOARDWALK DONT SPEED ON ATLANTIC AVE THEY WILL PULL YOU OVER IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND LATE NIGHT NOT GOOD TIME FOR SMALLER CHILDREN MORE ADULT CROWD...they man every corner of atlantic ave at night. BEACH GETS REALLY CROWDED DURING THE EVENINGS.

There are a million parking police whom will pounce with a ticket the second the meter is out so keep them full or you will be given a ticket. Also read the signs all around when you park or they will be quick with the tow trucks too. Especially at night when you see no one parked in a parking lot and think no big deal and then out goes your vehicle with the tow truck. Ticketer/tows are done 24 hours. I suggest if you plan on staying out really late get a hotel on the boardwalk and walk everywhere and use the Wave which is only $1 per ride.

Some of the tacky souvenir shops have aquariums in there doorways, I wondered what on earth was inside these aquariums and asked the shopkeeper. They are hermit crabs and are given away free when you spend so much in their shop! I told the shopkeeper this was terrible, how can you give away an animal to someone who doesnt know a thing about them. There was no water in some of these aquariums just sand.
Hermit crabs apparently live with colonies of 100 or more and can only lay their eggs in the ocean so these shopkeepers are depriving these little creatures of reproducing. It shouldnt be allowed and my opinion is not to shop where they are giving them away.
Some people may not like me saying this but it is how I feel about such things.

Apparently frisbees are not allowed on the beach weekdays 10-4 and weekends between 10-6pm because of the number of people!!! I can understand that it could be a nuisance but when we were there which was August the beaches were really quiet with so much room!!!!

Restaurants close early in this town. One of our nights in Virginia beach we came off the beach a little later than usual. By the time we left our hotel room it was around 8:30-9:00pm. We searched & searched for a nice place to sit in and eat, everything was closing. The only thing that was open was pizza joints & fast food places. So if you want to have a nice meal I would suggest you go before 7:00pm.

The main warning I'd say is you're going into the water make sure to check the surf condition for that day!Strong tides sometimes can be too strong for inexperiences swimmers.

Also the area got a lot of attention last year for shark attacks! Although those were islated incedents (a couple) still keep your eyes on your kidds and each other. Your odds of winning the lotto are much better than getting attacked by a shark! (not sure if that helps any) :)

Over all still very safe! Also it is very easy to get burned by the hot sun!! so make sure you cover yourself with SPF-15 ,18 and 25 and whatever other numbers and names sunscreens go by these days! Otherwise, you might smell like a well done porkchops on a hot summer day!!